Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reunite after the Jets were able to strike a deal for the All-Pro receiver. Trade compensation is a conditional third-round pick that could become a second-round pick. Adams requested a trade at the beginning of October, with the Jets being at the top of his list of potential suitors, and Rodgers’ former teammate gets his wish. Here are five winners of the trade.
Winners From Jets-Raiders Trade of Davante Adams
1. Aaron Rodgers
The Jets quarterback gets his buddy from his time with the Green Bay Packers back, where the two were a lethal combination for eight seasons. During their time together in Green Bay, Adams made five pro-bowls while Rodgers won two MVP awards.
There is a clear chemistry between the two, which will help the Jets’ offense immediately and, in turn, help the Jets, whose season desperately needs to get back on track after three straight losses and a 2-4 record. During their losing streak, Rodgers has thrown four interceptions to four touchdown passes.
2. Garrett Wilson
The third-year receiver is the top receiver threat on the Jets. Garrett Wilson has 399 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Wilson has been the focal point on the outside each of his three seasons with the Jets, and the Adams trade will now help ease the burden for Wilson and the types of coverages and double teams he will see from future opponents.
Adams has the pedigree of a future Hall of Famer, and Wilson will get the opportunity to learn and improve his game by being next to and playing alongside Adams.
3. The Raiders
The Raiders made the best they could of the situation once Adams formally requested a trade from the team. They send Adams to his preferred destination. However, the Jets are on the hook for the remaining salary on Adams’s contract. Also, after initially setting the asking price as a second-round pick, the Raiders could essentially get their initial asking price if the conditions of the third-round pick are met.
Obviously, the Raiders won’t be a better team for trading away a Pro-Bowl receiver; however, this will set them up nicely for the 2025 NFL draft. At 2-4 and in last place of the AFC West, the season could continue to head south for the Raiders as they set their eyes on the 2025 season, positioning themselves for the best possible outcome for draft positioning. Through six weeks of the season, Las Vegas has the 11th pick of the 2025 NFL draft.
Adams is one of many intriguing pieces the Raiders could trade to continue to boost their draft capital for next season. Teams will call and see about Maxx Crosby who could be next to follow Adams out the door.
4. The New York Jets season?
The Jets season has been a whirlwind the last two weeks. They fired their head coach, Robert Saleh, after five games while also demoting their offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett. After striking a deal for Adams, it’s clear that ownership is not in the business of another losing season.
Outside of the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans, the rest of the playoff picture in the AFC is wide open. Even though it’s early, the Jets’ ownership and front office are doing whatever they can to go all in this season.
5. Davante Adams
After requesting to be traded from the Raiders, Adams ended up at his preferred destination, which was to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. In-season trades are not easy for any player, but Adams has a unique season of familiarity with people in the Jets organization.
Not only will he be comfortable with his quarterback back, but Hackett, who was demoted from play calling, will be another familiar face for Adams to lean on as he was the offensive coordinator for the Packers during some of his time there. Allen Lazard is also a former teammate of Adams, as Rodgers and Lazard all played together in Green Bay.
Main Image: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
