Determined to save their season from ruin and preserve their hopes of ending a half-century Super Bowl drought, The New York Jets are finalizing a blockbuster trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
The Las Vegas Raiders will receive a conditional third-round draft pick that could improve to a second-round selection, sources told Schefter. For the pick to improve to a second-rounder, Adams must be a first- or second-team All-Pro this season or be on the Jets' active roster for the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl, the sources said.
The Jets are assuming the balance of Adams' remaining salary, a source told Schefter. Adams' salary for this season is $17.5 million, with approximately $11.59 million still owed through the end of the season. And while he is under contract for 2025 and 2026, his annual salary jumps to $36.25 million for each of those seasons. The Raiders will carry a dead cap charge of $13.67 million in 2024, according to Spotrac.com, and $15.7 million in 2025.
Rodgers and Adams: A Dynamic Duo
Davante Adams has been the most productive target for Aaron Rodgers in their time together. Rodgers has thrown over 200 more passes to Adams than to any other target in his career. Adams, who turns 32 on Dec. 24, is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who achieved his greatest success with Rodgers as his quarterback with the Green Bay Packers. From 2014 to 2021, they combined for 615 completions, 7,529 yards and 68 touchdowns. They were the NFL's second-most prolific tandem over that span, trailing only Matt Ryan and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Jets have been on a win-now mission since acquiring Rodgers from the Packers in 2023, and they're on a three-game losing streak at 2-4. A Rodgers-Adams reunion seemed inevitable, with Rodgers fanning the flames in July. At a celebrity golf tournament, he said, "I love Davante. I can't wait to play with him ... again."
Adams' Departure From Las Vegas
Adams' two-plus seasons in Las Vegas will come to a tumultuous end, with Adams falling out of favor with coach Antonio Pierce and eventually requesting a trade. He identified the Jets as his No. 1 choice, and he got his wish, as the Jets outbid other teams.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas showed interest in Adams at the 2023 trading deadline but was rebuffed by the Raiders. He never lost interest, sources said, checking periodically on Adams' potential availability. This time, he moved swiftly to get it done.
This move intensifies the pressure on Douglas and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the fired Robert Saleh last week. The Jets have missed the playoffs for 13 straight seasons, the league's longest active drought -- including the past three under Saleh.
A Crowded Receiving Corps
Adams joins a crowded receiving corps that includes emerging star Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams and Allen Lazard. They also have Xavier Gipson, who handles punt and kickoff returns, and rookie Malachi Corley.
Rodgers has compared Wilson to a young Adams. Rodgers and Wilson struggled to connect early in the season, but Wilson is coming off his two most productive games -- combining for 21 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams has struggled to produce. In Monday night's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Williams ran the wrong route on the Jets' final play, according to Rodgers. In his postgame news conference, Rodgers said Williams should've run a vertical route instead of breaking it off -- and the result was an interception. It was the second straight game in which Rodgers' final pass was intercepted -- both targets to Williams.
A New Chapter for Adams
Adams was initially acquired by the Raiders in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers on March 17, 2022, with the Raiders sending first- and second-round draft picks to the Packers so Adams, who grew up in Palo Alto, California, could not only be closer to home after seven seasons in Green Bay, but also reunite with his college quarterback at Fresno State, Derek Carr. But Carr was benched with two games to go in an eventual 6-11 season and was cut that offseason.
Still, Adams was named first-team All-Pro in 2022, catching 100 passes for 1,516 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns. A year later, with Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell at quarterback, Adams had 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdown catches.
With Gardner Minshew at quarterback this season, Adams had 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games. He has missed the Raiders' past three games because of a hamstring injury.
The Raiders' top three receivers moving forward will be Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and DJ Turner.
What This Means for the Jets
The Jets have had a rough start to the season. They are currently 2-4 and are coming off a disappointing loss to the Bills. However, the addition of Adams could be a game-changer for the Jets. Adams is a proven star who has a history of success with Rodgers. The two have a strong connection and rapport, and they could be a dangerous duo in the Jets' offense.
However, the trade does come with some risks. Adams is 31 years old and he has missed some time with injuries in recent seasons. He is also a high-priced player, and the Jets will be paying him a significant salary. The Jets also have a crowded receiving corps, and it remains to be seen how Adams will fit in with the other players. How will Adams' arrival impact Garrett Wilson? It will be interesting to see how Adams is incorporated into the Jets' offense and how he interacts with the rest of the team. The Jets are hoping that the addition of Adams will give them a much-needed boost and help them make a run for the playoffs.
Ultimately, the trade of Adams to the Jets is a bold move by the team. The Jets are betting that Adams can help them turn their season around and make a run for the playoffs. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off.
The Biggest Question: What Does This Mean for the Future?
This move suggests that the Jets are committed to making a serious push for the playoffs this year. The addition of Adams gives them a potent offensive weapon and makes their offense one of the most dangerous in the league. However, the team is also facing some significant challenges. Their defense has struggled, and they are playing in a very competitive division. They also have a tough remaining schedule, and they have to show they can win against tough competition if they are going to be a real contender.
It will be interesting to see how this move impacts the rest of the Jets' season. Can Adams help them make a run for the playoffs? Or will the team struggle as they have in recent years? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: the addition of Adams is a big deal, and it is one of the biggest stories in the NFL right now.
