Davante Adams acquired by Jets, reunites with Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, of the New York Jets talks with wide receiver Davante Adams, right, of the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. Credit: Getty Images/Ethan Miller
Aaron Rodgers got his man, and he and Davante Adams got their wish.
They’re teammates again with the Jets.
The Jets made the big splash move to acquire Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday. They sent a conditional 2025 third-round pick to Las Vegas for the six-time Pro Bowl receiver, who requested a trade two weeks ago.
The Raiders, initially, sought a package that started with a second-round pick. It was a steep price for a disgruntled 31-year-old player. The pick going to Vegas could become a second-rounder based on Adams and the Jets’ performance. The Jets also are paying Adams’ remaining salary to reunite him with Rodgers. Adams was Rodgers’ favorite target in Green Bay.
“To be able to have him back is really special,” Rodgers said during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “Tae and I have done a lot of great things over the years. He’s made me look good a lot of times. I’m really excited about it. I think it’s exciting for our team. We definitely got better today.”
Rodgers said he found out the trade was happening after returning home from the Jets’ 23-20 loss to Buffalo on Monday night. Adams called and texted him. The two spoke after midnight.
Adams took a redeye flight and was in the Jets’ facility by morning to take his physical. He made a cameo on the McAfee Show, standing behind Rodgers.
“We’re back, man. We’re back.” Adams said. “Should be able to pick up where we left off. That’s the idea.”
Rodgers and Adams were tough duo to stop the eight years they were together with Green Bay. Adams averaged 83.6 catches, 1,015.1 yards and 9.1 touchdowns per season. Rodgers won three of his four MVP Awards playing with Adams.
It was no secret that the two wanted to play with each other again. The Jets were Adams’ first choice when he made his trade request. They tried trading for Adams last year, but the Raiders weren’t interested then.
“He infuses a lot of energy into the team right away,” Rodgers said. “He’s a proven star player. He’s an asset. He’s an incredible locker room presence.”
The Jets and Adams agreed on a restructured deal on the $11.6 million he had left this season. He’s owed $72.5 million over the next two seasons. None of it is guaranteed. The Jets will rework Adams’ contract or he will be an expensive less-than-one-year rental.
Either way, this deal had been in the works for a long time. It shows that the Jets remain all-in this year and will do everything possible to break their 13-year playoff drought, at the minimum.
“Now it’s Go Time,” Rodgers said.
The Jets came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations. Things haven’t gone as they expected. The Jets are 2-4, Robert Saleh was fired last week and they’ve changed offensive-play-callers.
Adams could help an offense that needs a boost. The Jets have lost three straight games – all by less than a touchdown.
When Jets owner Woody Johnson was asked at the NFL meetings if this season is salvageable, he responded, “Salvageable? We’re going to kick . . . you can fill the word in.”
Adams, who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, said he’s feeling better. It would be surprising if he doesn’t play Sunday against the Steelers. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said it’s too early to assess that, but he’s “super excited” about adding Adams.
“I’m ecstatic,” Ulbrich said. “Not only an elite player but the relationship with him and Aaron just takes his value to a whole ‘nother space for us.”
The Jets moved the ball better on Monday with Todd Downing calling in the plays instead of Nathaniel Hackett. But they were just one-of-four on red zone opportunities. Adams could help that.
“I would imagine Davante’s going to help in every area,” Ulbrich said.
The Jets offense should be difficult to defend with Breece Hall in the backfield and a talented receiver room that features Garrett Wilson, another ex-Packer Allen Lazard and Mike Williams. But the Jets now could try to move Williams, who signed a one-year $10 million deal.
Rodgers and Adams have proven they have great chemistry. Rodgers and Wilson have been clicking the last two weeks. Wilson should get far less attention from defenses playing with Adams.
“It’s definitely added a lot to our team,” Rodgers said. “This move lets everybody know, ‘Hey it’s on us now because we’re going all in.’ It’s our time to go out there and win games, get on a run that we all feel deep down that it’s going to happen.”
Clark lands on IR
The Jets placed safety Chuck Clark (ankle) on injured reserve. He will miss at least four games.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
