As we awaken after the weekend Daylight Savings time switch on a Monday, NFL and Packers news didn’t wait until the noon free agency tampering period. Ian Rapoport broke this on Good Morning Football:
From @GMFB: #Packers star WR Davante Adams has informed the team he won’t play on the franchise tag, and the sides remain far apart on a long-term deal, per sources. It’s all coming to a head. Something has to give. pic.twitter.com/Df0zpvhglM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
After the Green Bay Packers applied the franchise tag last week, it seems wide receiver Davante Adams will not play under the the tag. News broke it was applied to the star wide out after it was revealed Aaron Rodgers would be returning to the green and gold.
It was originally reported last week that Rodgers would be back on a four-year, $200MM deal. He then tweeted that it was not the case
Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I “signed”. I’m very excited to be back 💪🏼 #year18❤️
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) March 8, 2022
Deal Not Close Yet
It seems that the Packers and Adams are still far apart from a deal. Green Bay still has lots of salary cap issues to deal with this week. Adams wants to be the highest paid receiver in the league. He definitely deserves it, but right now the team doesn’t have a lot of salary to spend.
In 2021, it was originally reported before the draft that Aaron Rodgers would not be returning or playing for the Packers. That turned out not to be true. Now, it is being reported that Adams won’t play. It could easily just be a negotiating tactic and that Adams would like some progress to be made.
The latest from @RapSheet and me on Davante Adams, who has informed the #Packers he won’t play on the franchise tag amidst fundamental differences on a long-term deal. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kf6YeJXZxC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
Per Tom Pelissero though, Green Bay and Adams are closer than you might think. “Their most recent offer to Davante Adams would make him easily the NFL’s highest paid receiver ever on a tradition extension”. That appears to not be enough yet.
Adams Franchise Tag
The Packers don’t add franchise tags often. But given their current situation, using one on Adams seemed like a no brainer. We also don’t know Rodgers’s numbers for his return yet. Is he returning on his original deal for another year, or will it be a new one?
Also, there is a lot of time between now and the start of Training Camp. That is a lot of time to negotiate and work out something. Adams will eventually get paid, the question is when that will be. Number 12’s new deal could be a back-loaded contract or restructured. That could leave room for a huge deal for Adams.
And if Adams does get a new deal between now and Training Camp, that means there will be more player cuts and no chance to sign anyone else on the roster to add depth.
What If No Deal
There is also the possibility Adams is traded or cut if he refuses to play and nothing is accomplished. That is worst case scenario. Davante is a beloved player in Green Bay. But no one wants to see him sit out a season because of money.
Obviously, things will be a little clearer when the figures for Rodgers and Adams are released. We also need to see what happens the first few weeks of NFL free agency. For now, it’s just a headline-grabbing story that has lots of time to be resolved.
I blame Tom Brady.
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