A Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers reunion? Why the Jets are favorites to trade for the receiver

Aaron Rodgers was walking on a golf course in Lake Tahoe this summer when he told a reporter, “I love Davante Adams, I can’t wait to play with him again.”

Later, Rodgers claimed he was talking about golfing with Adams, not football… if you believe him.

“I definitely like Davante,” Rodgers said with a grin in July. “I think I was talking about golf.”

Aaron Rodgers was asked about his comments about Davante Adams in Lake Tahoe:

“I definitely love Davante. That particular guy was a bit annoying, I’d say” 😂 pic.twitter.com/XwbbV3CbJM

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) July 31, 2024

Perhaps Rodgers was simply predicting the future – a future that many around the Jets believed was inevitable. Earlier this summer, Adams said, “If I’m going to be reunited with anyone, it would be Aaron.” Tuesday morning, during an appearance on the “Up and Adams” show, when host Kay Adams suggested that the Star Wide Receiver missed his old former Packers quarterback, Davante responded with a smile, “How could you not?”

Later that day, Adams reportedly requested a trade from the Raiders. The expectation is that the Jets will be involved in these conversations as it is a situation that general manager Joe Douglas has been monitoring since last season. When the Jets acquired Rodgers last year, Adams was one of the players he told the organization they should consider pursuing, along with several others (Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb) they ultimately signed.

It’s a matchup that makes a lot of sense, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if the Jets ultimately make a move to land the six-time Pro Bowler. Adams is one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the NFL, and many of his accomplishments came when Rodgers threw him the ball from 2014 to 2021, until Green Bay traded Adams to the Raiders.

According to ESPN, the Raiders have informed teams that they would “consider” moving Adams if that return included a second-round pick and additional compensation. At that price (or less), it’s absolutely worth being pursued by the Jets.

GO DEEPER

What I see from the New York Jets: Seven concerns that could derail the season

The Jets own their own second- and third-round picks in 2025, as well as an additional third-round pick (acquired from Detroit when the Lions traded for the fourth round last spring). The Jets also likely wouldn’t be resistant to including Pro Bowl defensive end Haason Reddick in any deal, especially considering Reddick is still in the middle of a months-long holdout that started in OTAs and minicamps. As for salary considerations, a trade for Adams this week would cost the Jets about $13.5 million for the rest of the year. Each week the number drops by $968,000 – and as a bonus, Adams has no guaranteed salary through 2025. The Jets currently have $16.8 million in cap space, although that number is inflated because Reddick is currently on the reserve/unreported list and thus his salary currently does not count towards their maximum space.

Rodgers has made his feelings about Adams clear time and time again since joining the Jets — and during the quarterback’s final season in Green Bay, in 2022, it was clear that Rodgers missed Adams. Rodgers had his worst statistical season since the start of his career that season, struggling to build chemistry with the Packers’ young wide receiver corps. When the Jets went to Las Vegas last year for a Week 10 game against the Raiders (Rodgers was out, recovering from his torn Achilles tendon), the two former teammates hung out the night before the game. They have maintained a friendship, and Rodgers has often referenced his chemistry and relationship with Adams at press conferences since joining the Jets — especially in conversations about Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

But should the Jets make a move for the 31-year-old wideout? That depends on a few factors. Ultimately, there’s one big one: The Jets have a 40-year-old quarterback and are firmly in a short win-now period — coming off a tough 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos.

GO DEEPER

The Jets loss to the Broncos, even with Aaron Rodgers, brings back bad memories of 2023

Wilson has struggled so far and his chemistry with Rodgers hasn’t exactly been good. The third-year receiver had 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons despite a revolving door at quarterback, and the theory was that Wilson would start with some stability in the mold of Rodgers. Instead, Wilson has struggled as teams have shadowed him with their star corners each of the last three weeks. He has just 191 yards through four games and has yet to reach 60 yards or six receptions in a week. In response to a question from former Jets linebacker Bart Scott on ESPN Radio New York’s “Bart and Hahn” show Tuesday, Wilson made comments that some on social media interpreted as critical of the Jets offense (posting to X, Wilson returned to that characterization).

Lazard, also a friend and former teammate of Adams, has been the Jets’ most productive receiver through three games, with 16 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns. The Jets signed Mike Williams this offseason to improve the supporting cast around Wilson — especially as Lazard struggled in 2023 after signing a $44 million free agent contract. Williams is starting to take on a full workload after missing all of training camp.

But none of those receivers, including Wilson, have the pedigree of Adams, who had 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns for the Raiders in 2023 in what was considered a down year by his standards. That season included a quarterback benching and an in-season head coach. Life would be easier in New York for both Wilson and Adams, as teams would find it a challenge to double-team either. Adams is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but had nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in an upset Week 2 in Baltimore.

The Jets largely avoided handing out big contracts this season and their cash outlays were significantly lower compared to previous years, so it’s unclear how willing owner Woody Johnson will be to pay another player $13.5 million. Although it can’t be ruled out if the goal is to win a Super Bowl with Rodgers in the twilight of his career. It should be noted that wide receiver isn’t the Jets’ biggest current need (that would be an edge rusher) but adding an All-Pro wide receiver certainly wouldn’t hurt.

There’s also the matter that the Jets aren’t the only team that will be interested in acquiring him. The New Orleans Saints have Derek Carr at quarterback – Carr, who played with Adams at Fresno State, was a big reason why Adams ended up with the Raiders in the first place. The Pittsburgh Steelers attempted to trade for Brandon Aiyuk this offseason and could be in the mix. Other teams may also emerge.

But rest assured, the Jets are among the favorites to acquire him. As they should be.

(Top photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)