The Las Vegas Raiders have traded All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the team announced Tuesday. In exchange, the Raiders will receive a conditional third-round draft pick that could elevate to a second-rounder if Adams earns a first- or second-team All-Pro selection this season or remains on the active roster for the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl.
Adams Restructures Contract to Facilitate Move
Adams restructured his contract to make the trade work, reducing his salary cap hit from $11.59 million to $3.21 million for the remainder of the season, according to ESPN. The revised deal now includes two voidable years, and both sides are expected to discuss Adams’ long-term future with the Jets during the offseason.
Adams is set to make his Jets debut on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, after missing the Raiders’ last three games amid trade rumors, which the team had attributed to a hamstring injury.
Jets Look to Reignite Offense with Adams-Rodgers Reunion
This trade reunites Adams with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his former teammate during their successful years with the Green Bay Packers. The Jets hope that pairing Rodgers with one of his most trusted receiving targets will help solve their offensive struggles, which were on full display during a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
Rodgers, who pointed out several errors made by his receiving corps during the postgame press conference, emphasized the need for attention to detail, especially as the Jets have now lost three straight games by one score. Reuniting with Adams is expected to be a key factor in getting the offense back on track.
“You can literally go back to each of those games and look at little details,” Rodgers said. “A lot of opportunities if we all just do the little things, do the details.”
Turmoil in Las Vegas Leads to Trade
Adams’ trade ends a tumultuous two-plus season tenure with the Raiders, who originally acquired him in 2022 from the Packers for a first- and second-round pick. Adams enjoyed a productive first season in Las Vegas, recording 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Pro honors for the third consecutive year.
However, the Raiders’ instability, marked by the departure of quarterback Derek Carr—Adams’ former college teammate—and a poor start to the 2024 season, led to speculation that the team would move Adams. The Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler during the offseason, and the team’s 2-4 record, paired with one of the league’s lowest-ranked offenses, pushed them into rebuild mode.
Raiders’ Future Uncertain Amid Struggles
Now led by interim head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders have benched veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, though results haven’t improved. Las Vegas is struggling offensively, ranking 27th in total offense, and the team ultimately decided it made sense to part ways with the 31-year-old receiver as they look to rebuild for the future.
The decision to trade Adams, though months in the making, was confirmed after a turbulent start to the season. Despite the Raiders’ general manager Tom Telesco denying trade rumors in February, speculation persisted, culminating in the final deal.
What’s Next for the Jets and Raiders?
For the Jets, acquiring Adams represents a clear attempt to get back into contention with a revitalized offense, while the Raiders shift their focus to a rebuild as they navigate another disappointing season. Adams and Rodgers will look to reignite the chemistry that made them one of the most feared duos in the NFL.
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