Before it was reported on Tuesday that the New York Jets had agreed to acquire Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, multiple stories linked Adams with the Jets, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
According to Connor Hughes of SNY, Adams was always going to end up with New York because the 31-year-old “made it clear to Las Vegas management he preferred to go to the Jets to be reunited with” quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Adams first had Rodgers as his QB1 with the Green Bay Packers from 2014-21, but some suggested that Adams was willing to head to the Saints because he previously played alongside Derek Carr at Fresno State and for a single season with the Raiders. However, the Saints have now lost four straight games to drop to 2-4 as Carr is sidelined with an oblique injury.
“The Raiders were originally hellbent on receiving a second-round pick (and more) in compensation for Adams without adjusting his contract,” Hughes explained. “Adams had $11.59M remaining in base salary. …The Jets parted with a conditional third-round pick and agreed to pay the remainder of his base salary. The team was originally reluctant to do this but softened its stance in recent days.”
According to Hughes, the draft pick the Jets are sending the Raiders becomes a second-round choice if Adams earns an All-Pro nod for this season or is on the Jets’ active roster for the AFC Championship Game or/and for Super Bowl LIX.
The Jets fell to 2-4 on the season via Monday night’s 23-20 home loss to the Bills, and Rodgers recently hinted he could be having second thoughts about playing beyond the ongoing campaign. The future Hall of Famer turns 41 years old this December and has already dealt with injuries to both of his knees and a low ankle sprain since Week 1.
Thus, it’s understandable Jets owner Woody Johnson was eager “to bring a lot of change” to the organization after Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh last week.
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jets at +155 betting odds to make the playoffs. Adams will look to help Gang Green turn its season around when his new club plays at the 4-2 Steelers Sunday night.
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