The NFL has a funny way of making the impossible look like a foregone conclusion. For months, the rumors were inescapable: Davante Adams reportedly wants to be traded to the Jets. It felt like a fever dream for fans in Green and White, especially those who spent years watching Adams and Aaron Rodgers turn the back-shoulder fade into a work of art in Green Bay. But in the NFL, where there’s smoke, there is usually a massive, multimillion-dollar fire.
He eventually got his wish.
But the story didn't end with a Super Bowl parade down Broadway. Honestly, it was more of a cautionary tale about "getting the band back together." If you're looking for the breakdown of how the Raiders, Jets, and eventually the Rams all factored into this saga, you've come to the right place. This wasn't just a simple trade; it was a high-stakes leverage play that shifted the power balance of three different franchises.
Why Davante Adams Reportedly Wanted to be Traded to the Jets
It all started with a vibe shift in Las Vegas. After being traded from the Packers to the Raiders in 2022 to play with his college buddy Derek Carr, Adams quickly found himself in a desert of uncertainty. Carr was out, Josh McDaniels was fired, and the Raiders were entering a "retooling" phase that didn't exactly fit the timeline of a 30-something-year-old All-Pro receiver.
Adams is a perfectionist. He’s the kind of guy who wants the ball exactly where it needs to be, and in 2024, the Raiders' quarterback carousel wasn't providing that. Meanwhile, over in New Jersey, Aaron Rodgers was healing up and whispering in the ears of anyone who would listen. The connection between the two is basically telepathic. When word leaked that Davante Adams reportedly wants to be traded to the Jets, it wasn't just a rumor—it was a coordinated push for a reunion.
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The Trade That Finally Went Down
On October 15, 2024, the "reportedly" became "officially." The New York Jets acquired Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. Here is how the deal actually looked on paper:
- The Price: A conditional 2025 third-round draft pick.
- The Escalator: That pick could have become a second-rounder if Adams hit All-Pro status or if the Jets made a deep playoff run.
- The Salary: The Jets took on the remainder of his $11.6 million salary for the 2024 season.
For a moment, it felt like the Jets were the favorites in the AFC. They had Garrett Wilson on one side, Adams on the other, and Breece Hall in the backfield. On paper, it was an "Avengers Assemble" moment for an offense that had been stuck in neutral for decades.
The Reality Check at One Jets Drive
Sometimes the grass isn't greener; it’s just a different shade of artificial turf. Despite the hype, the 2024 season was a disaster for the Jets. They went 3-8 with Adams in the lineup. Even with the Rodgers-to-Adams connection yielding 67 catches and seven touchdowns in just 11 games, the team couldn't stop the bleeding.
They were sitting at home during the playoffs for the 15th straight year.
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What most people get wrong about this trade is the idea that Adams was the problem. He wasn't. He was productive. But the Jets' infrastructure was crumbling. By March 2025, the team realized the "all-in" window had slammed shut. They cut Rodgers, and they cut Adams.
The Contract Shell Game
You might wonder why the Jets would trade a draft pick for a guy and then cut him months later. It comes down to the money. Adams' original contract was designed with "fluff" years in 2025 and 2026. He was scheduled to have a cap hit of roughly $38.2 million. No team—not even a desperate one—was going to pay that for a receiver entering his mid-30s.
Adams and his agent knew this. They kept the contract as-is during the trade specifically to give Adams leverage. If the Jets didn't want to pay him, they had to release him. This allowed Adams to choose his next destination as a free agent.
Where is Davante Adams now?
After the Jets' experiment failed, Adams didn't stay on the market long. He signed a two-year, $44 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams in March 2025. He went from one legendary quarterback to another, pairing up with Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay.
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By the time the 2026 Wild Card round rolled around, Adams was back in the playoffs, while the Jets were once again watching from their couches. In a candid interview in early 2026, Adams even took a bit of a swipe at his former team, telling Puka Nacua that if you don't play with a "Kobe mentality," you'll end up "at home with the Jets."
Ouch.
What This Means for Future Trades
The Davante Adams saga teaches us a few things about how the NFL works in 2026. Teams are becoming more willing to ship off aging stars for mid-round picks, and star players are getting better at using "non-guaranteed" years in their contracts to force their way into free agency.
If you are a fan of a team "reportedly" linked to a superstar, remember:
- Chemistry takes time. Even Rodgers and Adams needed a few weeks to get back into their rhythm, and by then, the Jets' season was already slipping away.
- The "All-In" move is a gamble. The Jets traded a 2025 third-round pick (which the Raiders eventually used to help get Geno Smith, who then led them to better days). New York got 11 games and a losing record.
- Watch the cap savings. The Jets saved $30 million by cutting Adams in 2025. In the modern NFL, cap flexibility is often more valuable than a veteran who isn't surrounded by a winning roster.
The Jets have moved on to a rebuilding phase, focusing on younger assets like Bailey Zappe and draft picks. Meanwhile, Adams is still chasing that elusive Super Bowl ring in Los Angeles. It’s a reminder that while the trade headlines grab the clicks, the actual football results often tell a much messier, more human story.
Actionable Insights for NFL Fans
- Check the "Dead Cap": Before getting excited about a trade rumor, look at the player's dead cap value on sites like Spotrac. If the team saves $20M+ by cutting them, they probably will unless a Super Bowl is guaranteed.
- Draft Capital Matters: Keep an eye on the "conditional" nature of picks. The Jets' failure to make the AFC Championship saved them from losing a second-round pick, which is a small silver lining in a dark season.
- Follow the QB: Adams followed Rodgers to New York, then Stafford to LA. Great receivers usually prioritize the "signal-caller" over the city.
Keep an eye on the March 15 roster bonus deadlines. For Adams in 2026, he has a $6 million bonus due with the Rams. If a team doesn't pay it by the third day of the league year, expect the trade rumors to start all over again. The cycle never truly stops.