Henry McKenna

NFL reporter

Davante Adams has been a Raider for far too long.

Finally, Las Vegas is looking for a new home for him. per multiple reports.

Adams signed with the Raiders for five years and $140 million in 2022 after moving from the Green Bay Packers. It was a good year with Derek Carr. But things haven’t been pretty since the time under coaches Josh McDaniels and Antonio Pierce and their rotation of struggling quarterbacks. The problems have escalated over the last year, and Adams’ frustration surfaced in Netflix’s “Receiver” docuseries. This year he appears to be checked out – waiting for the inevitable trade.

Of course, his market isn’t as easy as it was when he joined the Raiders. He is 31 years old. He is scheduled to earn a base salary of $16.89 million in 2024, which is what he is entitled to from any team that might trade him. And his erratic behavior in Vegas likely made him unattractive to some receiver-needy teams. Take the Buffalo Bills for example. They may not be interested in replacing Stefon Diggs, who has headaches, with Adams, a potential migraine sufferer. And then a team like the New England Patriots might want Adams, but they almost certainly don’t want him. He can’t be interested in going from Gardner Minshew, a headache, to Jacoby Brissett, a migraine.

Then there are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. They may be considered the most needy receiver prospects. But they are in the same division as the Raiders. This makes a trade highly unlikely. There’s also no word yet on Rashee Rice’s knee injury. The team initially feared an ACL injury, but no statement has been made regarding his status. I have a feeling Chiefs general manager Brett Veach won’t panic and give Adams a key draft contract, likely a one-year rental.

It’s a tough market for Adams – made even tougher by the history of star receivers changing teams after turning 30. Look at Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins. They weren’t sensational with either their second or third teams.

So these are the teams that probably won’t work out. Let’s look at who will work. Here are the six teams.

New York Jets

Without Aaron Rodgers, the Jets wouldn’t make sense. They already have receivers Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, Allen Lazard and rookie Malachi Corley. It’s not that they necessarily want an upgrade.

But of course, Rodgers changes the equation. Thanks to him, they are the front runners – and by a wide margin.

Adams was asked Tuesday if he missed playing with Rodgers.

“How could you not do it? You know, how could you not?” Adams said with a smile as he spoke to Kay Adams about the “Up and Adam’s show.”

Rodgers has spoken openly about how much he enjoyed playing with Adams in Green Bay, including when Rodgers led the NFL in passing touchdowns in 2020 and Adams finished in the top three in receiving yards in 2021 “Up and Adam’s Show” during training camp when he talked about playing with Adams.

“I love Davante. I would like to play with Davante again. Maybe at the 2028 Olympics,” Rodgers said. “I want him to have great success. I love him. We keep in touch. … Davante is over there. If things come to pass in an alternate universe – whatever.”

There is so much smoke surrounding these two wanting to play together.

Could former Packers teammates Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers reunite in New York? (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers lost the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes. So we know that they feel like they don’t have enough help on the receiving end. This becomes pretty clear when you look at the passing offense, which is primarily based on quick play. Adams could open just about anything for them. George Pickens and Pat Friermuth would have more leeway. Calvin Austin isn’t really a WR2 – but would work well as a WR3.

But I’m not sure that’s a given – because Adams is not Aiyuk.

And what does Adams think of Justin Fields?

Personally, I think the Steelers QB is playing great. But I wonder if Adams would be interested in playing with a young quarterback who might not be a long-term prospect. So that’s the first problem. Second, Ayiuk and Adams are at different stages in their careers. Aiyuk is just reaching its prime. Adams may have already left his. Aiyuk was close to signing a massive contract extension, but that would allow Pittsburgh to shape it around his salary cap needs. Adams’ deal is inflexible and large: $16.89 million this year. (The deal also calls for $35.6 million in 2025 and $35.6 million in 2026, but none of that is guaranteed. Teams can opt out after 2024 if Adams doesn’t want to sign a new contract that includes a includes salary reduction.)

The Steelers can totally do that, and perhaps they could capitalize on it with a third-round pick. Their battle with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North has just begun.

Baltimore Ravens

Speaking of ravens!

Late last year it looked like Zay Flowers was on the verge of moving into a WR1 role, but that didn’t happen this year. Instead, he did well – finishing third in receiving yards behind Isaiah Likely and Justice Hill.

There is absolutely no doubt that Adams would immediately become the team’s best pass catcher.

The question is whether Adams could end up being an underdog in Lamar’s offense. But Adams’ reputation as a route technician means he can theoretically fit anywhere. So maybe Lamar and Adams can help bring out the best in each other. Maybe they can even beat Patrick Mahomes.

Green Bay Packers

I guess the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.

While there was controversy over the Jets not being able to trade Haason Reddick back to the Eagles, the Raiders were able to trade Adams back to the Packers considering it had been two years since the initial transfer. And it’s actually perfect for Green Bay, which has just enough roster flexibility to add him back to the roster.

Jordan Love has done a good job of developing his younger receivers, but none of them have taken on a WR1 role. So this is where Adams would come in handy. And there is a lot of urgency for the Packers to improve at the moment because they are last in the NFC North.

Oddly enough, I like this for everyone involved. It’s just a question of whether the Packers are willing to work with Adams again, even if just for a year.

Could Davante Adams welcome a move back to Green Bay? (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Washington commanders

Jayden Daniels has suddenly increased the Commanders’ chances of making the playoffs. They may not be the favorites to win the division, but at 3-1 they have a significant lead. Adding Adams would be a great attempt to avoid blowing the early division lead.

The Commanders traded Jahan Dotson, which freed up space on their depth chart. They haven’t found a truly reliable second pass catcher other than Terry McLaurin. Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey made great plays – but we all know Adams would probably do a lot more for this offense. I think – similar to Fields – it would be interesting to see if Adams likes the idea of ​​playing with Daniels, who is still fairly untested as a rookie. But if he did, Adams could quickly open up a number of targets in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones was criticized for his comment about going “all in” on the 2024 season.

Well, here’s his chance to make good on his promise.

The Cowboys have plenty of cap space for Adams. They could probably use a running back and an off-ball linebacker to solve their on-field issues. But let’s not think about it too much – a receiver like Adams can’t hurt. He and CeeDee Lamb would immediately be one of the toughest tandems to defend in the NFL. They would be Enemy #1 (and #2) for every defensive coordinator in the NFL.

That would be a bit like buying a boat when you need a car. But if you can afford a boat…then why not buy a boat, right?

Before joining FOX Sports as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna covered the Patriots for seven years for USA TODAY Sports Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Follow him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.

Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites for information on games, news and more