Davante Adams has emerged as the early crown jewel of the NFL’s trade deadline, with multiple interested teams reaching out to the Raiders to gauge their desired compensation for the three-time All-Pro.
Adams’ market is impacted by his hefty contract, ongoing injury, and desire to reunite with either Aaron Rodgers in New York or Derek Carr in New Orleans. The veteran receiver is owed just shy of $1MM per week for the remainder of the season with $35.6MM and $36.6MM salaries in 2025 and 2026, respectively, though neither future year features any guaranteed money. While several teams, including the Jets, could afford Adams’ remaining 2024 salary without any other financial moves, others, like the Saints, would have to free up enough cap space to afford him.
The Raiders are willing to eat some of Adams’ remaining salary to facilitate a trade, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who adds they are determining how much they are onboard with paying. General manager Tom Telesco is seeking a second-round pick in exchange for Adams, possibly as a directive from Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has repeatedly stated a desire to keep Adams in Las Vegas. Other league decision-makers believe that a third-round pick plus additional Day 3 capital or a depth player could be enough to get a deal done.
The Raiders were approached about Adams at last year’s trade deadline, including an offer worth more than a second-round pick, per Jones. Las Vegas never seriously entertained moving its star wideout, a decision the team could regret in hindsight if Adams is traded for less in the coming weeks. Last year’s trade deadline brought an interesting Davis decision to keep Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler running his team before firing the HC-GM duo hours later. Meanwhile, Adams stayed and also expressed a continued preference to stay in Vegas this offseason. That has since changed, and his hamstring injury may ensure he is done in Silver and Black.
Adams’ trade saga is further complicated by the injury that will sideline him for a second straight game after not practicing this week. The injury is minor, but legitimate, so any acquiring team will want to ensure they are getting the best, most healthy version of Adams possible. Waiting for him to fully recover would also reduce the financial burden for Adams’ next team, as the Raiders will continue to pay his salary and per-game roster bonuses as long as he is on the active roster.
Adams is angling for a reunion with Rodgers after the duo’s success in Green Bay, and the Jets are one of the few teams that can afford his 2024 salary outright. The Raiders, however, are intent on inciting a bidding war to push their compensation closer to the second-round pick they desire. Another half-dozen teams have been linked with Adams, including the Saints, Steelers, Bills, Cowboys, Ravens, 49ers, and Chiefs. While the Cowboys have disavowed any interest, Adams should still have a robust list of suitors that should help drive up his trade value.
Team expectations will play a role in negotiations as well: if multiple teams have made similar offers, the Raiders will try to predict which one will finish with the worst record and accept their deal, resulting in better draft pick. The Steelers operated this way with Chase Claypool at the 2022 deadline.
If the Jets are able to acquire Adams, some around the league believe they could look to dealing veteran receiver Mike Williams to open up roster space and wide receiver snaps for their new All-Pro, according to Jones. Trading Williams would also clear $1.2MM in cap space for the Jets, making it slightly easier to fit Adams into their budget, though they would be responsible for Williams’ $1.5MM dead cap hit in 2024 and $5.9MM dead cap hit in 2025 (due to void years), per OverTheCap.
Jets and Steelers make so much sense
Last year’s trade deadline brought an interesting Davis decision to keep Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler running his team before firing the HC-GM duo hours later.
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Stupidest move ever. Go thru the trade deadline with two self-interested guys, that you are going to fire right after.
An interim GM might’ve been able to pull off a good trade.
If he costs a 2nd, I pass.
The Jets have an extra 3rd round pick in next years draft. They may be willing to be happy with getting a talented proven WR for what they are hoping is a very late 2nd round pick. But I understand not wanting to part ways with a draft pick.
Jets could propose Mike Williams, Telesco knows his capabilities and injury history, and a 2nd or 3rd whichever they’ve got to give. Seems Mike has rehabbed and is gaining a bit of chemistry with Rodgers and if he is healthy that’d give LV a receiver and picks.
I would like him in a Texans uniform.