Determined to salvage their season and end a 50-year Super Bowl drought, the New York Jets are finalizing a major trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams, according to sources reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
In exchange, the Las Vegas Raiders will receive a conditional third-round draft pick, which could elevate to a second-round selection. For the pick to improve, Adams must either be named a first- or second-team All-Pro this season or be on the Jets' active roster for the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl, sources indicated.
Adams arrived in New Jersey on a red-eye flight early Tuesday morning as the deal was nearly finalized and is currently undergoing a physical to complete the trade, a source told Schefter.
The Jets will take on the remainder of Adams’ salary, which amounts to $17.5 million for the season, with approximately $13.5 million still owed. Although he is contracted through 2026, his salary will escalate to $36.25 million annually in those years.
This trade will reunite Adams with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, aiming to recreate one of the most formidable duos in recent NFL history.
Davante Adams, who will turn 32 on December 24, is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who experienced his greatest success with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. From 2014 to 2021, they connected for 615 completions, accumulating 7,529 yards and 68 touchdowns, making them the NFL's second-most productive duo during that period, surpassed only by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons.
The Jets have been on a win-now mission since acquiring Rodgers from the Packers in 2023, but they are currently on a three-game losing streak with a record of 2-4. The reunion of Rodgers and Adams seemed destined to happen, especially after Rodgers expressed his enthusiasm at a celebrity golf tournament in July, saying, "I love Davante. I can't wait to play with him ... again."
Adams' tumultuous two-plus seasons in Las Vegas are coming to an end, having fallen out of favor with coach Antonio Pierce, which led him to request a trade. He identified the Jets as his top choice, and they successfully outbid other interested teams to secure him.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas had shown interest in Adams at the 2023 trade deadline but was turned away by the Raiders. However, he maintained his interest, regularly checking on Adams’ potential availability. This time, he acted swiftly to finalize the deal.
This trade ramps up the pressure on general manager Joe Douglas and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who took over for the fired Robert Saleh last week. The Jets have not made the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons, the longest active drought in the league, including the last three seasons under Saleh.
Adams joins a crowded receiving corps that features emerging star Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Allen Lazard, along with Xavier Gipson, who handles punt and kickoff returns, and rookie Malachi Corley.
Rodgers has drawn comparisons between Wilson and a younger Adams. Although Rodgers and Wilson struggled to connect early in the season, Wilson has recently had his two best games, totaling 21 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams has faced difficulties in his production. In Monday night’s 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he reportedly ran the wrong route on the Jets' final play, according to Rodgers. In his postgame conference, Rodgers noted that Williams should have run a vertical route instead of breaking it off, resulting in an interception. This marked the second consecutive game where Rodgers' final pass was intercepted, both times targeting Williams.