If Davante Adams gets his wish, he'll eventually be a member of the New York Jets, playing with his friend and four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Aaron Rodgers.
New York is where the Raiders star wants to play after informing the team on Monday he prefers to be traded, multiple sources say. But Adams has not demanded as much from Las Vegas, and this is not a scenario like Rodgers' in 2023 when the quarterback informed the Packers he would only play for the Jets.
In fact, according to sources informed of Adams' thinking, he is open to playing for several other teams. The New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and perhaps the San Francisco 49ers are among teams that either have inquired about the six-time Pro Bowler or are places Adams would be happy landing.
The Raiders have had conversations with several teams since Monday when Adams told Las Vegas he preferred to play elsewhere. Those conversations ramped up after NFL Media first reported that Adams would like to be dealt. Nothing currently has come close to happening and no trade is expected at least until next week at the earliest, sources say.
While the Raiders could trade Adams to the Jets, they will do what's best for their organization, sources say, including taking the best deal from the highest bidder. While players generally have some semblance of control -- in this case, Adams would have to rework his contract to facilitate a trade -- he is not in total control of where he ends up.
And while teams have discussed potential deals, there likely won't be any official offers until Adams' hamstring is healthy enough for him to play. Adams missed the Raiders' Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, and he is not expected to play this Sunday against the Denver Broncos, sources say, but its likely he'll continue to play for Las Vegas when healthy if the right deal takes weeks to materialize or never does.
The Raiders are looking for at least a second-round pick as compensation for Adams, who originally drew a first- and second-round pick in a 2022 trade from the Packers. Adams, the former All-Pro, would be the highest profile player currently on the trade market.
Adams' preferred destinations each have short- and long-term implications. For instance, a trade to the Jets would reunite him with Rodgers, but for how long? Rodgers, 40, has indicated he’ll play beyond this season, though not for much longer. Adams, 31, clearly believes he has several seasons of good football left in him.
As it stands now, Adams has a base salary of nearly $17 million in 2024 -- about $1 million per game. His $35.6 million salary in 2025 would need to be reworked by the Raiders or his next team.
Asked about Adams on Wednesday, head coach Antonio Pierce said, "Davante is dealing with a hamstring. He's rehabbing and the rest of us are focused on Denver."
Pierce also said he and Adams talk often, but he did not disclose those conversations.
Although Rodgers has not spoken publicly since news of Adams' trade request, he has never been shy about voicing his admiration for him. While signing a golf ball for a fan during July's American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Rodgers famously quipped about reuniting with his former teammate in a video captured by Vegas Sports Today.
"I love Davante Adams," Rodgers said then. "I can't wait to play with him again."
