While GM proclamations about trades involving marquee players have led to course reversals before, new Raiders front office boss Tom Telesco did make a notable effort to insist Davante Adams will not be going anywhere this year.
Regarding Adams, Telesco said Tuesday “He’s a Raider.” Adams had recently expressed excitement about returning for a third season in Las Vegas, but after a run as the No. 1 receiver for playoff-bound teams in Green Bay, the past two years have brought a step out of the spotlight — and more rumors about a potential departure.
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Adams was among the players to stump for Antonio Pierce this year. Although neither Pierce nor Telesco were in their current roles when the Raiders traded first- and second-round picks for Adams, it certainly appears the new regime wants to keep the All-Pro target in place as the team’s top wide receiver. This follows up a recent report that indicated the Raiders have no desire to move on from Adams, despite the changes that have occurred since his acquisition.
The Jets came up as an Adams suitor at multiple junctures. The AFC East team made overtures about acquiring Adams, Mike Evans or Tee Higgins. None of the inquiries gained much traction, but a December report indicated the Jets had been monitoring Adams since they traded for Aaron Rodgers. The two, of course, played eight seasons together in Green Bay. Rodgers said he attempted to convince Adams to stay with the Packers in 2022, but the latter moved to reunite with college teammate and longtime friend Derek Carr. That partnership lasted one year, with the Josh McDaniels–Dave Ziegler regime cutting Carr. Adams stayed in Vegas but expressed frustration during the final weeks of the McDaniels period.
While seemingly more content with the Raiders’ setup under Pierce, Adams still saw his numbers drop from 2022. After a 1,516-yard Raiders debut that featured an NFL-high 14 touchdown catches, Adams totaled 1,144 yards and eight TDs in 2023. With the team in dire need of a quarterback upgrade — a situation Pierce has made no secret of — Adams is an expensive receiver on a team in transition. Adams will, however, be reuniting with ex-Packers assistant Luke Getsy in 2024.
“Open-mindedness and, like I said, that innovation to the offense and a good run-pass balance,” Adams said (via Gutierrez) of Getsy earlier this month. “And that’s what I’m used to, that West Coast style. Going to be fun getting to work on a new system, [yet] something that’s a little bit more familiar.”
It is unclear who will be targeting Adams next season, but Telesco — like Bengals exec Duke Tobin did re: Higgins at last year’s Combine — is providing a firm indication the accomplished wideout is in the Raiders’ plans for the upcoming season.
“He’s our property. He ain’t going nowhere. We own him.” Lol jk
They don’t have a QB that can get Adams the ball. A waste of DAs prime years.
His prime years were 3-4 years ago….
He was a first team all-pro just in 2022 with Carr throwing the ball. If he is given a decent QB he can hit 1,500 yards and 10 TDs easily. Adams is tapering off only due to level of QB play he is working with.
He’s still real good, but not a kid anymore. As much as I like him, I’d have to listen.
Let me translate…”we’re open to high offers.”
“Raiders Not Planning To Trade Davante Adams”…..UNTIL THEY DO
Trade him for what? Draft picks?
They have no idea how to use them.
A competent organization would, but not this team.
I don’t think this is like when Gruden was here, high-fiving people for “stealing” Leatherwood at #17, instead of trading back to take the similarly rated (maybe better) Darrisaw.
It simply cannot be that bad.
Maybe – but MD is still there, and its not like this organization has a shining track record.
I doubt the MD made the Ferrell pick, instead of the painfully obvious Josh Allen pick.
Do you think he an owner with a hands off philosophy or more like his dad?
The Raiders have many years of bad picks.
Sorry Jets, you won’t be getting another washed up former Packer….unless you want David Bakhtiari who also will qualify as such very soon.
Raiders supposedly aiming to trade up from #13 to #1. Given they squandered the extra firsts from the Mack trade, perhaps they’d be willing to go all in for the QB to pair with Adams.
3 firsts, 2024 2nd & 3rd, and potentially a player. That might still not be enough to make Poles bite.
If the Raiders traded Adams that would leave Jakobi Meyers as the only offensive threat opposing defenses would have to worry about. Not a formula for winning.
If they trade him to the NYJ for their #1, they can draft a very good WR.