The Green Bay Packers infamously botched their contract talks with All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. The star pass catcher who had spent his entire career with Green Bay was so disgruntled by the negotiations that he refused to play on the franchise tag and requested a trade. Of course, there were other factors that played a role in his decision (Aaron Rodgers’ indecision on retirement, family, etc.), but the result was that the Packers traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Adams put up another All-Pro season in his first year with Las Vegas, but it was not a great season for the team. Adams’ friend, quarterback Derek Carr, was dismissed from the team and sent home before the season even ended. He has since signed with the New Orleans Saints.
The Raiders have had a dramatic offseason, highlighted by the holdout of NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs. In short, even though Jacobs has finally reported to the team after sitting out almost all offseason and preseason, he is not happy. If the Raiders do not do well this season, the Jacobs situation and other roster questions could lead the team to blow it all up.
If this happens, one NFL writer believes an Adams reunion with the Packers may be possible.
Would the Green Bay Packers Trade for Davante Adams?
The notion that Adams could be traded either this season or next offseason was put forward in a recent article on ESPN by Dan Graziano. He wrote:
“The Raiders are likely going to be terrible this season, and Adams went there to play with a quarterback who got benched before Adams’ first season with the team ended and is now in New Orleans. If he doesn’t believe he fits in the Jimmy Garoppolo-led offense, and if the season in Las Vegas gets off to a bad start, Adams could absolutely start making noise about wanting out. And coach Josh McDaniels has never been shy about trading away players he doesn’t believe fit his program.”
Obviously, if Adams does hit the trade market, a possible reunion with Aaron Rodgers in New York will be a largely discussed scenario. That being said, Packers writer Sean Deveney of Heavy on Packers suggested that a reunion with Green Bay could also be a possibility:
“Graziano does say that a potential trade of Adams would likely have to wait until the offseason, in part because of Adams’ guaranteed $16.9 million guarantee for next season. But, hey, if the Packers kicked the tire on Taylor before this season, they’ll definitely be open for business on a trade next offseason, provided this year is a solid one.
“And the Packers have an extra first-round draft pick in their quiver, likely the Jets’ first-rounder if Aaron Rodgers stays healthy.”
It is an interesting thought, and certainly fans would love to see Adams back in a Packers uniform. The mentioning of how the Packers looked into trading for Jonathan Taylor helps validate the argument as well. Also, Green Bay will have that extra first round pick to work with if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ offensive snaps.
However, there are a few issues with the notion that Adams could be traded back to Green Bay.
- On Jonathan Taylor: general manager Brian Gutekunst did not go into specifics, but he gave the same answer regarding questions of the Packers’ interest that he gives to any rumor: they always make a call to check in. The fact of the matter, though, is that Gutekunst never talked to the Colts personally. It was a scout who made the call. The asking price was too much and that was it for Green Bay. The rumor that they were willing to offer Taylor a major contract was likely made up by Taylor’s agent.
- There is no question that Adams is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame once his career is over. However, he is also 31 years old, and the Packers do not usually hold onto wide receivers and other skill players for much longer after they hit 30.
- Adams’ age also contradicts the youth movement Green Bay has decided to undertake. Only three players on their 53-man roster are 30 or older. Of course, if an exception were ever to made, Adams would be the player to use it on.
In the end, the idea that the Packers could get Adams back via trade is intriguing, but it is not likely. The two sides decided to go in different directions, and that is fine.
That being said, if Adams named the Packers as his preferred trade destination, the team would be foolish to say “no.”
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!