Anticipation Grows Over Trade Negotiations for Davante Adams

As Adams recovers from a hamstring injury, it is expected that trade discussions will gain momentum in the coming week. Despite the ongoing healing process potentially keeping Adams off the field until Week 6, multiple teams are considering their potential offers for the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

The Trade Scene for Adams: Not as Advanced as Perceived

In contrast to several assumptions, the trade proceedings concerning Adams have not accelerated as much as anticipated. This delay is largely due to his ongoing recovery and the hesitation of prospective teams to make concrete offers. There is a fear that any offers made could be utilized by the Raiders to define a market for Adams. As the NFL’s November 5 trade deadline draws closer, anticipation is building over the future market for Adams.

The Raiders’ Stance on Trading Adams

The Raiders have made their expectations clear to interested parties: Owner Mark Davis expects no less than a second-round draft pick for Adams, plus additional compensation that could include an extra draft pick or a player.

Potential Suitors for Adams

The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are currently leading the race to acquire Adams. However, they’re not the only ones expressing interest in the three-time All Pro. Other teams, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens, are also keeping a close eye on Adams’ situation.

The Social Media Speculation and Adams’ Preferences

Adams’ recent social media post featuring poet Edgar Allen Poe sparked rumors about the Ravens’ growing interest. However, reports indicate that there’s been no direct contact between the Raiders and Ravens since the previous week. At the moment, it appears that Adams is primarily interested in the Jets and Saints.

Jets’ and Saints’ Strategies to Acquire Adams

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is actively campaigning for Adams, his former teammate from the Green Bay Packers, to join him in New York. The Jets have the potential to offer two third-round picks and two sixth-round picks in 2025, along with wide receiver Mike Williams, who has a history with Raiders’ general manager Tom Telesco.

On the other hand, Adams has expressed interest in teaming up again with Saints quarterback Derek Carr, his former colleague from both the Raiders and Fresno State. The Saints, known for their adept manipulation of the salary cap, will have to work their magic once again since they are currently under the cap by approximately $4.6 million.

Financial Considerations and Contractual Obligations

A potential trade agreement might require the Raiders to pay a portion of Adams’ salary for the current season. However, the Raiders have made it clear they’d prefer not to shoulder this financial burden. Adams’ contractual obligations for the season amount to $17.5 million, with $13.5 million due by season’s end. For the 2025 and 2026 seasons, his salary increases to $36.25 million annually, making a contract restructure likely necessary for any interested trade partner.

Davante Adams: A Brief History

Adams, previously a player for the Packers, was traded to the Raiders in a headline-making deal in March 2022. Despite agreeing to the trade to reunite with Carr, Adams only spent one year with him in Las Vegas. Before this, Adams spent eight successful seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, during which he was chosen for five Pro Bowls and named a two-time first-team All-Pro.