The NFL landscape has been jolted by a truly seismic development: Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, an undeniable superstar of the game, has officially requested a trade. This bombshell news, first reported by NFL Network and confirmed by team sources with direct knowledge, sends immediate shockwaves across the league, setting the stage for what could be the most significant mid-season player movement in recent memory. After well over a year of steadfastly denying rumors about his unhappiness, Adams’s reversal of course marks a pivotal moment for both him and the Raiders organization.
What an absolutely wild turn of events this is! For months, the narrative surrounding Adams and the Raiders has been a complex tapestry of public frustration and organizational denial. Adams, who will be turning 32 during the 2024 season, remains one of the top receivers in the NFL, but his core desire—to compete for Super Bowls—has proven increasingly difficult to achieve in Las Vegas. The Raiders have, frankly, struggled, compiling a 16-22 record since Adams was acquired from the Green Bay Packers in 2022.
His discontent has been palpable, surfacing in numerous public expressions of frustration regarding the team’s performance. Yet, despite these clear signs of unease, Adams himself has consistently maintained that he doesn’t want to be traded, and the Raiders, led by general manager Tom Telesco, have been equally adamant about not moving their prized asset. In fact, just recently, Telesco reiterated this stance on the August 2 episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, emphasizing, “We need Davante right now. Whoever our starting quarterback is, is going to need the help of those guys, the receivers, the tight ends, the running backs. So having Davante here is a big deal for us.”
However, the winds of change have clearly picked up speed. While the timing of Adams’s formal trade request caught many by surprise, it’s fair to say this situation has been simmering beneath the surface for quite some time. A significant moment that appears to have tipped the scales occurred recently when a screenshot began circulating on social media, appearing to show Raiders coach Antonio Pierce “liking” an Instagram post that insinuated Adams could be traded. It’s no mere coincidence that shortly thereafter, the news broke: Adams had indeed asked for a move, escalating the long-brewing tension into an undeniable reality.
Now, with the Raiders reportedly open to considering trade packages that include a second-round pick and additional compensation, the financial implications of such a move come sharply into focus. Should Las Vegas deal Adams, they stand to free up approximately $17.5 million in immediate cap space. However, this flexibility comes with a cost: they would incur significant dead money hits of $7.85 million in 2024 and a hefty $15.7 million in 2025, according to Spotrac. For any team acquiring Adams, they would be on the hook for his remaining base salary, which currently stands at around $13.5 million for this season, per Over the Cap. It’s crucial to note that Adams is under contract through 2026, but he carries no guaranteed salary remaining on that deal beyond the current season, adding a fascinating layer of complexity to any potential trade negotiations.
Before the official request, the idea of Adams being moved wasn’t new. ESPN’s Seth Walder, in an August 7 column, had already pitched a hypothetical trade that would send Adams to the Buffalo Bills for a 2025 second-round pick. Walder insightfully pointed out Adams’s age and contract structure, stating, “Adams is 31 years old and due to make only $17.5 million in cash this season. He’ll not only be older next year (and might be showing some initial signs of decline), but he’ll also be scheduled to make $36.25 million at that point.” He argued for a pre-deadline move, asserting, “If the Raiders don’t deal Adams before the trade deadline this year, they might never be able to trade him.” Walder’s conviction was clear: “The rational move would have been to do this last year or earlier this offseason, but there’s still time for the Raiders to salvage value from Adams.”
Walder’s initial proposal, however, was quickly met with skepticism from many, who believed a second-round pick alone was simply too low for a player of Adams’s caliber. The context of the AFC East, particularly the New York Jets, immediately came to mind. The Jets have been linked to Adams for well over a year, and it’s genuinely hard to imagine they wouldn’t at least match, if not exceed, a mere second-round pick offer. This suggests that if Adams does become available, a bidding war, particularly within the AFC East, could very well erupt, driving up his market value significantly beyond initial projections.
Let’s now dive deep into the fascinating hypothetical trade proposals put forth by beat writers at The Athletic, covering teams that could be interested in acquiring Adams. These scenarios offer a compelling glimpse into the strategic thinking across the league and the potential upheaval a Davante Adams trade could trigger.
First up, the **Baltimore Ravens**, who floated an offer of a 2025 third- and fifth-round pick for Adams. This partnership, to be frank, appears somewhat unlikely on the surface. The Ravens recently undertook several contract restructures just to become cap compliant, and general manager Eric DeCosta has openly discussed the difficulty of adding another significant contract anytime soon. Furthermore, Baltimore is fundamentally a run-first team, and they’re already struggling to get the ball consistently to their top pass catchers, with Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews combining for a mere four catches over two recent weeks. This raises legitimate skepticism about whether they’d truly get enough bang for their buck by adding another high-volume target, even one as exceptional as Adams. However, the Ravens are famously connected to almost every veteran receiver looking for a new home, and DeCosta has a track record of throwing his hat into the ring when an accomplished player is available. While they’d need significant cap gymnastics and potential help from the Raiders or Adams himself to make the contract work, DeCosta’s penchant for exploring all options and Baltimore’s cache of compensatory 2025 draft picks make a call from their end not entirely out of the question.
Next, the **Buffalo Bills** have put forward a conditional offer: a 2025 third-round pick and cornerback Kaiir Elam for Adams and a 2025 seventh-round pick. The Bills have seen promising early returns from slot receiver Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, and tight end Dalton Kincaid, infusing their offense with exciting young talent. Yet, without a prominent, undisputed top option at wide receiver, the rest of their receiving group, frankly, rings a little hollow. In their determined quest to reach the Super Bowl in what promises to be a wide-open AFC, adding a receiver of Adams’s caliber, even if only for a single season, could provide the missing piece to complete an already imposing offense. The Bills certainly possess some draft picks to play with in 2025, but they currently have only limited cap space—a mere $3.2 million—and are low on contracts they could restructure. For this trade to become a reality, the Raiders would likely need to be willing to eat the majority of Adams’s remaining base salary, a critical factor for Buffalo to absorb the superstar’s contract.
The **Dallas Cowboys** entered the fray with an offer of a 2025 third-round pick and wide receiver Jalen Brooks for Adams. While the Raiders will undoubtedly receive better offers, it’s inherently difficult for the Cowboys to surrender substantially more in terms of future draft picks. They have recently committed massive funds, making Dak Prescott the league’s highest-paid player and CeeDee Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback. Moreover, they fully intend to sign Micah Parsons to a deal that will likely make him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback defender. Consequently, Dallas will require as much draft help as possible to fill out its future rosters. Jalen Brooks, a seventh-round pick in 2023, is entering his second season and offers good size and upside. The Cowboys might also be willing to part with Jalen Tolbert, a 2022 third-round pick who has been their second-most-productive receiver through four games, in a different deal with a lesser draft pick. While Dallas has more pressing concerns along the defensive line and at running back, the allure of superstar receivers has historically captivated owner/GM Jerry Jones. His track record speaks volumes: he traded two first-round picks for Joey Galloway in 2000, signed Terrell Owens in 2006, dealt first-, third-, and sixth-round picks for Roy Williams in 2008, and even traded a first-round pick for Amari Cooper in 2018. This history demonstrates a clear willingness to do whatever is necessary to add big-play veterans.
The **Los Angeles Rams** presented an interesting proposal: wide receiver Tutu Atwell and a 2025 fourth-round pick for Adams. This scenario would likely only enter serious consideration if the Rams genuinely believe they can salvage their season after a challenging 1-3 start. They simply cannot rely on Cooper Kupp, who may return after the bye week from an ankle injury, to remain healthy after his third consecutive truncated season. Adding to their woes, Puka Nacua is likely to miss more than the minimum four games on injured reserve, leaving their receiving corps significantly depleted. Coach Sean McVay has notoriously struggled to find a consistent full-time role for Atwell, who, despite his diminished role, remains a valuable speed threat. The Rams are indeed likely to scrutinize their roster for movable assets they don’t plan on extending in the upcoming spring. The tantalizing thought of pairing Adams with Matthew Stafford, especially with the prospect of getting at least one offensive lineman back from injured reserve for the season’s second half, undoubtedly sends shivers of excitement down the spines of Rams fans. General Manager Les Snead, known for his bold moves, should absolutely make the call to explore this possibility.
Across the NFC, the **New Orleans Saints** put forth an offer of a 2025 third-round pick for Adams. The connection here is undeniable: the established rapport Adams shares with quarterback Derek Carr dates back to their time together at Fresno State, and they also played together for the Raiders in 2022. Pairing Adams with Chris Olave, whom many view as a strong No. 1 wide receiver option, and Rashid Shaheed would create an absolutely dynamite receiving trio. Olave, much like Brandin Cooks when he was drafted by the Saints, has the potential to serve as a No. 1, but perhaps doesn’t quite feel like a sure-fire, undisputed top target. This makes Adams an even more attractive addition. However, there’s a strong argument that a second-round pick might be too much to pay for Adams, particularly as he’s set to turn 32 in December. To put it in perspective, the Raiders only received a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss back in 2007, and Moss was almost two years younger at that point. Furthermore, the Saints’ perennial salary-cap gymnastics always play a significant role in their ability to make moves. New Orleans currently has less than $3 million in cap space and is projected to be more than $80 million over the 2025 salary cap, according to Over the Cap. Fitting Adams’s substantial contract onto their books would undeniably present a formidable challenge.
Then, we arrive at the **New York Jets**, arguably the most obvious and intriguing destination, with an offer of 2025 third- and fifth-round picks and a 2026 fourth-round pick for Adams. If the Raiders, for any reason, prioritize making Adams happy—which, given their recent quarterback decisions, is debatable—the Jets stand out as the most logical landing spot. The allure of an Aaron Rodgers reunion has been a constant tease since Rodgers joined the Jets, and the two even spent time together the night before their teams’ matchup last November, showcasing their undeniable bond. The Jets are clearly all-in heading into the 2024 campaign, especially now that Rodgers is healthy after suffering a torn Achilles last year. They’ve diligently worked to improve his supporting cast this offseason, bringing in players like Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses, Mike Williams, and Malachi Corley. Despite these additions, the Jets haven’t seen the consistent production they hoped for from Garrett Wilson, and adding Adams would unequivocally elevate their passing game. If the Jets are truly in win-now mode, this move is an obvious one that would undoubtedly make their quarterback ecstatic.
The bigger question, as always with the Jets, revolves around owner Woody Johnson’s willingness to pay Adams’s full remaining salary for the season, or if they’ll attempt to convince the Raiders to absorb some of it. Another proposed trade for the Jets involves two second-round picks (2025 and 2027), a “solid price to pay” for a team intent on maximizing their championship window with Rodgers. The sheer need for another reliable wide receiver alongside Garrett Wilson is evident, especially with Mike Williams, who turns 30 in October, coming off a torn ACL. Beyond these two, the Jets’ depth chart, including Xavier Gipson, Malachi Corley, and Allen Lazard, thins out considerably. Adams, despite turning 32 in December, still possesses immense talent, evidenced by his 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns last season, averaging 2.03 yards per route run. Even without his prior history with Rodgers, a trade for Adams would make perfect sense for the Jets, and the strong narrative of a reunion only intensifies the appeal.
