To no surprise, several potential suitors have emerged for Davante Adams. The Raiders All-Pro is on board with a trade, and Vegas has begun reaching out to teams which could be interested in acquiring him midway through the campaign. 
The Browns should also be labeled as a candidate to add Adams, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes. Sitting at 1-3 on the year, the team has work to do on offense to contend for a postseason berth. Adding a premier wideout would certainly help in that regard, although the status of Amari Cooper would become a key factor in any serious Adams pursuit on the part of the Browns.
Cooper’s short- and long-term future was a talking point during the offseason, one in which he agreed to a revised contract. The pending free agent was part of the Browns’ offer to the 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk, but the second-team All-Pro did not want to be dealt to Cleveland. As such, Cooper has remained atop the team’s WR depth chart in 2024, his third season since being dealt by the Cowboys. The 2022 and ’23 campaigns resulted in a total of 2,410 yards and 14 touchdowns, showcasing the former first-rounder’s continued ability to operate as a No. 1 receiver.
Cooper’s contract status makes him a logical candidate to be dealt ahead of the 2024 deadline (November 5), especially if the Browns are unable to rebound from their poor start. Adams will require a reworked deal upon arrival with a new team, however, and any long-term commitments from Cleveland will need to keep in mind the outstanding compensation due to quarterback Deshaun Watson. Two years remain on Watson’s deal, and all of his remaining money is fully guaranteed. Cleveland made a notable receiver addition in the spring by trading for and extending Jerry Jeudy; the former Broncos first-rounder is on the books through 2027.
Elsewhere on the Adams front, both The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and veteran insider Jordan Schultz report the Jets are seen around the league as the frontrunner to finalize a trade. New York represents an obvious landing spot given the mutual interest in a reunion between Adams and former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers. The pair spent eight years together in Green Bay, and both spoke during the offseason about the possibility of teaming up with the Jets.
As expected, New York is one of the teams which has called about Adams’ availability in a deal. The Raiders – believed to want a compensation package beginning with a second-round pick – have also been linked to the Bills, Saints and Steelers regarding a trade for the six-time Pro Bowler. The Cowboys are not expected to pursue Adams, although Vegas should still have a number of offers to choose from in the near future. Further details have emerged regarding how the situation has reached this point.
Adams was away from the Raiders during training camp due to the birth of his first son. He was absent for 10 days, a period which Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes was longer than the team expected (subscription required). Upon return, Adams made it clear he preferred not to play in Vegas’ second preseason contest. Head coach Antonio Pierce replied that he expected the three-time All-Pro to play if healthy. Adams was listed as injured one day later.
As the Fresno State product rehabs the legitimate hamstring injury which sidelined him for Week 4, Pierce remains at the center of this ongoing saga. The first-year head coach liked an Instagram post suggesting Adams would be dealt, something which sparked the latest round of speculation regarding a move being made. When asked to comment on the matter, Pierce declined (h/t Tafur).
Healthy or otherwise, Adams could easily find himself out of the lineup for Week 5 as the Raiders seek out a suitable trade agreement. The relationship between Adams and Pierce has been strained recently, and a change of scenery for the former could be beneficial to all involved. It will be interesting to see how the trade market emerges over the coming days.
I’d bet anything he’s not going to approve a trade to the Browns. Unless they overpay and give him a fully guaranteed extension.
I can’t imagine he’d approve a trade to Cleveland, either. Aside from being in the same division as KC, he’s already in a better situation in LV. The QB play is better. The weather is better. I think Vegas, as weird as this feels to say, might be slightly better run.
I completely agree, Cleveland would have to make him the highest paid non-QB and guarantee most all of it. Even then, I don’t know. I don’t fault anyone for being all about the money; but he would fade into obscurity there, which I’m not sure he’d want?
I think the Jets will land him. I’d love to see him on the Saints. New Orleans,Buffalo and Washington could be in play. I still expect he ends up on the Jets, though.
I do not believe that Adams has a no trade clause in his contract. He really does not have a say in who he gets traded too. The Raiders, Adams, and the NFL will ensure that he is traded to the proper situation and storyline.
I’d rather have Minshew throwing the ball to me than Watson
So what? Browns ship Amari to chiefs for picks and replace him with Davante? Sounds….interesting???
Weren’t Adams and Pierce best buds the end of the ‘23 season?
Did Rodger cause turmoil in that relationship?
Would agree Jets and Saints are the primary landing possibilities, with only the Saints maybe playoff bound, though I wonder if the Rams or Jags might jump on the speculation train.
Bills, Steelers could bring playoff potential yet KC (on maybe some creative 3 way trade deal) could net Adams a SB.
My question would be – what’s Adams focus, Playoffs – Championship or Friendship
I dunno, the Jets have a chance, at least as much as New Orleans does. Tampa and Buffalo may win those respective divisions, and if that happens, New York and New Orleans both seem like the second best teams in their divisions. There are two questions here in regards to that: do we think that Atlanta or Miami is a bigger threat to mess that up?You have to figure that those divisions aren’t deep enough to send three teams to the playoffs. It’s still early, so this picture could change. But I would consider New Orleans and New York to be in similar positions right now in terms of playoff expectancy.
Adams may like Pierce, but that doesn’t mean he likes them bringing in the Bears’ punted OC to design the offense and doing so little to address right tackle and quarterback.
I think that Adams and Pierce both like each other and get along. I think that Adams feels that Pierce is going to be a great coach however, that will take a couple of years. I also think that the Raiders were serious about moving up in the draft for a QB (Daniels) and Adams was excited for that. Clearly that did not happen.
The Raiders are now in the most boring QB battle of all time and it’s not a benefit at all to a player like Adams. The organization was unable to meet Davante’s expectations and it’s only fair to let him go to a better situation. It’s also only fair to let the Raiders get proper compensation.
It’s not personal, strictly business.
I think the Saints are the front runners. The ONLY reason he accepted a trade to Raiders is to play with his college QB Derek Carr. I don’t view the Jets as the front runner. There is way too much drama with that team. There is all the familiarity with all his former teammates but I wouldn’t want to go there.
Well they are the favorites no matter what you think about the amount of drama they have.
I dunno, doesn’t getting rid of Cooper for Adams seems a bit…redundant?
The Browns are a Dumpster Fire because of the Qb situation….why would Adams want to go tbere
They’re a dumpster fire because Haslam is a meddling idiot, as is Tepper, as is the current Jerry Jones. Having the money to buy a football team does not mean you know football personnel.
One team was willing to spend the money & picks for a WR and I can’t see them not being willing to do the same here … which would help Fields tremendously
Riddick and a 4th for Adams. Riddick was traded for a 3rd that could become a 2nd with playing time. This seems like fair compensation to me.