Davante Adams is out for the Raiders game against the Broncos, still nursing a hamstring injury. But sources say Adams is nearing full health and it’s likely that he’d be healthy enough to play next week.
All of which means that as trade talks ramp up over the next 48 hours, Adams may have played his last down for Las Vegas.
Adams, sources say, views the New York Jets and his old friend Aaron Rodgers, as his top choice for a landing spot. That’s where he wants to play. But it’s been the New Orleans Saints who have been the most aggressive, while other teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, have closely monitored the situation and stayed in touch. The Jets remain very much in the mix, as well.
With Adams’ hamstring close to being healthy, trade talks are expected to accelerate Monday and Tuesday. If a trade is going to get done this week, which is possible, Tuesday would be the deadline.
If the Raiders don’t get their price, they are content to wait it out, sources say.
The Jets are in London for a Week 5 matchup against the Vikings before playing the Bills on Monday night, Oct. 14. That means if New York does trade for Adams, he’ll have an extra day to prepare and be ready, though it’s an offense he thrived in for years while with Rodgers in Green Bay. Should be an easy fit.
If it were the Saints, it would be his other quarterback, Derek Carr, who said this week, “I think all 32 quarterbacks would love to play with Davante. We would welcome that.”
Carr said he and Adams have stayed in touch — obviously they are close friends — and the same applies to Rodgers, who has been speaking regularly to Adams. The ever-persuasive Rodgers has been outspoken about his desires for Adams to join him, saying so whenever asked.
This week in London, Rodgers said he still has a “close friendship” with Adams.
“The rest of that is out of my hands,” Rodgers said.
The Raiders, sources say, want at least a second-round pick for Adams, who arrived in Las Vegas for a first- and second-rounder in March of 2022.
Adams is making $17 million in base salary this year and the Jets can absorb such a contract. The Saints, because of their lack of cap space, would have to rework his contract to fit.
Either way, whoever trades for Adams will have to rework his 2025 and 2026 years, which carry $44.1 million and $45.1 million cap hits, respectively.
