Raiders HC Antonio Pierce In No Hurry To Name QB1
Once the Raiders exited the 2024 draft without a new quarterback in tow, it became clear that 2023 fourth-rounder Aidan O’Connell and free agent acquisition Gardner Minshew would compete for the starting job. Despite Minshew’s more extensive experience and the fact that he signed a notable contract with Las Vegas this offseason – two years, $25MM – head coach Antonio Pierce said back in March that the road to the QB1 post would go through O’Connell.
Following mandatory minicamps in June, O’Connell seemingly still had a slight edge over Minshew, with the understanding that training camp would serve as the definitive test. As Albert Breer of SI.com writes, the competition between the two passers is real, and O’Connell continues to acquit himself nicely. Per Breer, the second-year pro carried himself like a starter throughout spring practices, played well, and won the trust of the club’s veteran core, including wideout Davante Adams (who appears to have had a say in the Raiders’ 2023 decision to bench veteran Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of O’Connell).
That said, Pierce has walked back his March comments just a bit, noting that there is not yet a leader in the Minshew-O’Connell race and that he is not in a hurry to name a starter.
Pierce said he would make his decision, “when it’s right, when it’s obvious…[when] it’s a no-brainer. No need to rush it. But when it’s clear, when it’s evident, then you need to make that decision” (via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez).
Obviously, those comments offer nothing by way of a timeframe, and it is fair to expect the competition to carry over into the preseason slate. In the meantime, Minshew and O’Connell will presumably continue splitting first-team reps.
O’Connell, who will turn 26 before the start of the 2024 campaign, struggled with turnovers early in his time at the helm in 2023 before settling down in that regard; over the course of his final six games, he posted a 9:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The Raiders relied on a ground-heavy attack during that time, but the Purdue alum offered enough to suggest he could develop into a starting-caliber option. Increasing his 202 passing yards per game average to an extent would be necessary to achieve that, of course.
The 28-year-old Minshew, by contrast, is more of a known commodity. The former Jaguar and Eagle joined the Colts last offseason to reunite with Shane Steichen, who served as Minshew’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia over the 2021-22 seasons before accepting Indianapolis’ HC post in February 2023. That move proved to be an important one for player and team alike since Anthony Richardson spent much of his rookie campaign on the sidelines due to injury. Minshew logged 13 starts and threw for a career-high 3,305 yards last season, nearly leading Indianapolis to a postseason berth and earning a Pro Bowl invite in the process.
In the poll of PFR readership that we published earlier this month, nearly two-thirds of the voters predicted that Minshew would win the starting gig.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/24
Wednesday’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR: OL Carter O’Donnell
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Zack Bailey
- Waived: G Ryan Coll, P Ryan Sanborn
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Martin, T Chim Okorafor
- Waived: LB Caleb Johnson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, T Giovanni Manu, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CB Amik Robertson, WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Activated from active/PUP list: S Brian Branch, DE Marcus Davenport
- Waived (with failed physical designation): G Matt Farniok
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR Jayden Reed
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Placed on active/NFI list: DT Raekwon Davis
- Placed on active/PUP list: CB Chris Lammons
- Waived: WR Xavier White
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Keelan Doss, OL Corey Luciano
- Waived (with injury designation): G Jake Johanning
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR DeWayne McBride
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR Chris Olave
- Activated from active/PUP list: DE Chase Young
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Gottlieb Ayedze, WR Shaquan Davis
- Placed on active/PUP list: S Sydney Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on active/NFI list: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Cole Holcomb, DE Dean Lowry
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Drake Jackson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: G Ilm Manning
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB DJ James, CB Nehemiah Pritchett
- Released: G Tremayne Anchrum
Washington Commanders
- Activated from active/NFI list: DT Johnny Newton
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Efe Obada
In New Orleans, Young has officially made the comeback from offseason neck surgery, passing his physical today alongside Olave, who is no stranger to offseason injuries.
Treadwell will join his eighth team in nine years after only making one catch in five games with the Ravens last season.
Brown is working his way back from an ACL tear that he suffered in the final game of his rookie season last year, so it’s no surprise that he will start the offseason on PUP.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived (with injury settlement): OL Carter O’Donnell
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OT Julién Davenport
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from PUP: WR Jalen Coker, Chau Smith-Wade
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on NFI: OT Trent Brown
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Jacob Eason
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden
Houston Texans
- Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
- Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on PUP: LB Darien Butler, OL Jacob Johanning, OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, WR Jalen Guyton, T Kolton Miller
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on PUP: TE Tyler Higbee
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Kyric McGowan
- Placed on PUP: WR Odell Beckham, LB David Long
- Placed on IR: WR Tahj Washington
- Activated off NFI: RB Salvon Ahmed, S Mark Perry
New England Patriots
- Placed on PUP: C Jake Andrews, WR Kendrick Bourne, G Cole Strange, LB Sione Takitaki
- Placed on NFI: RB Antonio Gibson
New York Giants
- Placed on PUP: T Evan Neal▪️, CB Aaron Robinson
- Placed on NFI: DB Jalen Mills, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Activated from PUP: WR Tyler Harrell, DT Leonard Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on NFI: DB Cooper DeJean
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on PUP: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga
- Placed on NFI: WR Ricky Pearsall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Marcus Simms, OT Jalen Sundell
- Activated from PUP: LB Jerome Baker, CB Lance Boykin, LB Tyrel Dodson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on NFI: QB Zack Annexstad, TE Tanner Taula
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on PUP: WR Colton Dowell, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere
WR Michael Gallup Retires
After joining the Raiders earlier this offseason, Michael Gallup is apparently calling it a career. The team announced that they’ve placed the wide receiver on the reserve/retired list.
The 2018 third-round pick quickly established himself as a foundational piece in Dallas, finishing his sophomore campaign with 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. Despite the team’s addition of first-round WR CeeDee Lamb in 2020, Gallup still managed to top 800 receiving yards on a depth chart that also featured Amari Cooper.
The trouble started in 2021. Gallup missed the first chunk of the season thanks to a calf injury. He was limited to a then-career-low 12.7 yards per reception that season on 35 catches before suffering a torn ACL in the regular season finale. The organization clearly wasn’t deterred by the injuries, as the front office handed Gallup a five-year, $62.5MM extension before trading Cooper days later.
To Gallup’s credit, he returned for 14 games in 2022, but he clearly wasn’t the same player. While Dak Prescott‘s absence partly played into Gallup’s drop in production, the wide receiver was still limited to only 30 yards per game. He managed to get into all 17 games this past season but his counting stats continued to drop, with the 28-year-old compiling only 34 catches for 418 yards and two scores.
The Cowboys gave Gallup permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, but the team ultimately decided to cut him before a $4MM salary guarantee was due. The wideout quickly caught on with the Raiders, inking a one-year deal that could be worth up to $3MM. There was some hope that the veteran could soak up the snaps left by Hunter Renfrow, who was cut in March. Indeed, Ed Werder reports that news of Gallup’s retirement came as a surprise to the Raiders. The organization will now have an open competition for the WR3 spot behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.
RB Kenyan Drake Retires
Kenyan Drake has decided to bring his NFL career to an end. The veteran running back confirmed in a conversation with NFL insider Josina Anderson on Friday that he is retiring. 
“It felt like the right time,” the 30-year-old told Anderson. “I love the game, but I don’t love the business. I’m at peace with the decision. I’m healthy and ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
Drake entered the league as a Dolphins third-rounder, and over half of his regular season appearances (and his lone playoff one) came with Miami. He topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2018, and did so again the following year while splitting him time between the Dolphins and Cardinals. Drake’s best season came in 2020, his only full campaign in the desert.
That year, the Alabama alum rushed for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. That success earned him a two-year, $11MM Raiders deal, but his career consisted of a series of short-term gigs from that point onwards. Drake only spent one campaign in Vegas before bouncing around to several teams in search of an opportunity. He had a pair of Ravens stints with Colts and Browns deals mixed in between August 2022 and November of last year.
Drake’s final NFL contract came from the Packers in December, and he made a single appearance down the stretch. His remarks suggest he attempted to find a new deal this offseason (something which a number of veteran backs managed early in free agency), but instead of seeking out a training camp accord or waiting for an opportunity to open up during the fall, he will turn his attention to his post-playing days.
A veteran of 105 combined regular and postseason contests, Drake racked up 5,521 scrimmage yards and 41 touchdowns across his eight years in the league. He will depart the NFL with nearly $26MM in career earnings.
Davante Adams Notes: Packers Departure, Carr, Rodgers
Davante Adams has been at the center of trade speculation throughout the offseason, although he and his agents have attempted to shoot down further rumors on that front. More has nevertheless recently been learned about the All-Pro Raiders wideout, including his arrival in Vegas and his outlook on a hypothetical trade to a third career team. 
During an appearance on Keyshawn Johnson’s All Facts No Brakes podcast, Adams touched on the lead-up to his Packers departure (video link). He said he approached Green Bay’s front office about working out an extension in the 2022 offseason as he was approaching his walk year. Uncertainty loomed over Aaron Rodgers‘ future with the franchise, but Adams was prepared to sign a long-term deal regardless.
The 31-year-old said he received an offer averaging $17MM per season – a figure notably below market value for the league’s top receivers, especially in the wake of the commitments made at the position over the past two seasons. Adams replied there was “nothing to talk about” after that point, and in March he was traded to the Raiders. That deal allowed him to reunite with former college teammate Derek Carr.
Adams confirmed during an episode of Netflix’s Receiver series (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic) Carr’s presence was a central element in his desire to play for the Raiders. Of course, the veteran passer only remained in Vegas for 2022 before being released and joining the Saints in free agency. Jimmy Garoppolo served as the Raiders’ starter last year before dealing with injuries and being benched – something Adams approved of and tied his future in the organization to.
Vegas decision-makers have repeatedly made it clear no Adams trade is being considered at this time, but Rodgers’ recent comment about anticipating a reunion has led to renewed questions. The former doubled down on his commitment to Vegas while also acknowledging a trade could send him out of Sin City. In the event that were to take place, Adams would welcome the opportunity to resume playing with Rodgers.
“I’m locked in with the Raiders, and I really feel good about this team, and as far as I know they feel good about me,” the six-time Pro Bowler told Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay podcast (video link). “If that ever changes, if that got to a point where they weren’t feeling the same way, I ain’t done playing, so obviously we would figure out whatever we needed to figure out.”
Adams added, “if I’m gonna be reunited with anybody, it would be Aaron,” confirming he would be open to playing on the Jets in the future (while repeating that it is not a scenario he currently desires). Three years remain on Adams’ contract, but an adjustment will likely be needed after the 2024 campaign given his projected cap hits and the absence of guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26. Plenty could change by that point, but for now he is set to play a third Raiders campaign.
The NFL’s Eight-Figure Dead Money Hits For 2024
The NFL moved into new territory this offseason, with one Broncos decision creating a staggering gap between the most costly dead money hits and No. 2 on the all-time list. Beyond Denver’s Russell Wilson release, other teams are taking on notable dead cap hits in 2024. Here are the players who will account for more than $10MM in dead money on teams’ payrolls this year.
- Russell Wilson, QB (Broncos): $53MM
- Stefon Diggs, WR (Bills): $31.1MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Vikings): $28.5MM
- Haason Reddick, EDGE (Eagles) $21.52MM
- Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks) $20.83MM
- J.C. Jackson, CB (Chargers): $20.83MM
- David Bakhtiari, T (Packers): $18.15MM
- Danielle Hunter, EDGE (Vikings): $14.91MM
- Carlton Davis, CB (Buccaneers) $14.1MM
- Andrus Peat, OL (Saints): $13.64MM
- Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $13.36MM
- Mike Williams, WR (Chargers): $12.46MM
- Aaron Jones, RB (Packers): $12.36MM
- Chandler Jones, EDGE (Raiders): $12.27MM
- Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $12.19MM
- Keenan Allen, WR (Chargers): $11.62MM
- Xavien Howard, CB (Dolphins): $11.41MM
- Michael Thomas, WR (Saints): $11.19MM
- Laken Tomlinson, G (Jets): $10.74MM
- Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $10.64MM
- Arik Armstead, DL (49ers) $10.31MM
- Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $10.26MM
- Byron Jones, CB (Dolphins): $10.1MM
- Maliek Collins, DT (Texans): $10MM
Months after trading for Wilson, the Broncos gave the decorated quarterback a five-year, $245MM extension. While Wilson offered something of a bounce-back effort from a shockingly mediocre 2022, Sean Payton‘s team still opted to designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Wilson’s $37MM injury guarantee, which the Broncos attempted to move in an effort that led to NFLPA involvement but no grievance, would have resulted in comparable dead money in 2025 had he remained on Denver’s roster on Day 5 of the 2024 league year and then been released next year.
The Broncos will receive a small cap credit — due to Wilson’s veteran minimum Steelers deal — in 2025, but the team will take on more than $83MM in total dead money from the release. This shatters the NFL record for dead money, which the Falcons previously held by trading Matt Ryan ($40.5MM), and the contract will remain on Denver’s books through the 2025 season. The Broncos opted to take on more dead money this year than next, separating this post-June 1 cut from most teams’ strategies.
The Bills’ decision to trade Diggs less than two years after giving him a four-year extension broke the non-QB dead money record. Unlike the Wilson matter, Buffalo will take on the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s full dead cap hit this year. Ditto Green Bay, which passed on a Bakhtiari post-June 1 designation. The Chargers will also be rid of the Allen and Williams responsibilities after 2024. The Seahawks also passed on post-June 1 designations with Adams and Diggs.
New Orleans has Thomas set to count more than $9MM in dead money in 2025 as well due to using the June 1 strategy. The Dolphins are still paying out the Jones contract from a 2023 post-June 1 designation, while Howard’s post-June 1 status will create a $15.7MM dead money penalty in 2025.
Void years created the Vikings’ Cousins cap hit. After attempting to negotiate a fourth contract with the veteran quarterback last year, the parties failing to come to terms resulted in void years being added in a restructure. The Falcons came in much higher than the Vikings were willing to go, guarantee-wise, leading Minnesota to a new QB path and significant Cousins dead money.
The Eagles also included three void years on Reddick’s contract, and the Buccaneers will eat some Evans dead money — despite re-signing the 11th-year wide receiver just before free agency — due to a void year-driven trigger before the latest contract was signed.
AFC West Notes: Broncos, Gallup, Chargers
Rumored to be at an impasse with the Broncos regarding his contract, Courtland Sutton said recently he is not certain he will show for training camp. It should be considered more probable than not the seventh-year wide receiver reports due to the hefty fines (at least $50K per day) that would pile up if he skipped. One sign Sutton is a decent bet to resurface in Denver next week: he attended throwing sessions with Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix recently. An SMU product who grew up near Houston, Sutton was among the pass catchers in attendance at the Stidham-organized workouts, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.
Sutton showing represents a good sign for Denver fans. Though, the 6-foot-4 target missed nearly the entire offseason program — and time to establish a rapport with the first-round QB — before making a minicamp cameo. Sutton, 28, has angled for a raise. He is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal that runs through 2025. Only $2MM of the former Pro Bowler’s $13MM 2024 base salary is guaranteed, though the rest of it will lock in just before Week 1.
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- Michael Gallup should be considered a good bet to make the Raiders‘ roster, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore classifies the longtime Cowboys starter as likely for a backup role in Las Vegas. Gallup (67 career starts) should be considered the lead WR4 candidate, per Bonsignore, with slot Tre Tucker expected to start alongside Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders guaranteed Gallup just $828K on a one-year, $1.75MM agreement. After being slowed by injuries, Tucker impressed during the Silver and Black’s offseason program. All parties involved have tried to cool Adams trade rumors. Unless the All-Pro target is dealt or an injury occurs, Gallup may well begin his age-28 season as a reserve.
- Jackson Powers-Johnson is ticketed to be the Raiders’ starting left guard if healthy, though Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat represent potentially superior options for 2024. Long term, however, the Oregon center-turned-Raiders guard is poised to take over the LG spot Dylan Parham vacated by moving to RG. Powers-Johnson missed most of the Raiders’ offseason program, putting the reigning Rimington Award winner behind as he transitions to the pros. The second-round pick was out with a shoulder malady, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed (subscription required).
- The Broncos‘ impact 2021 draft class featured Patrick Surtain and the recently extended Quinn Meinerz, but GM George Paton‘s first haul also includes outside linebacker starters Baron Browning (Round 3) and Jonathon Cooper (Round 7). Those two being in contract years could open the door for 2024 third-rounder Jonah Elliss down the road, but Klis notes the Utah-developed sack artist’s 2024 role will likely be as the team’s fourth OLB behind the Ohio State alums and Nik Bonitto. Elliss has recovered from the torn labrum that ended his 2023 season and limited him during Denver’s offseason program, Klis adds. The youngest of Luther Elliss‘ NFL-playing sons, Jonah will begin full work soon.
- New Chargers DC Jesse Minter moved Derwin James around the formation during the offseason program, making the team’s third safety spot more important. While the recently re-signed Alohi Gilman is entrenched as the starter alongside James, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes JT Woods and AJ Finley will continue their competition for the No. 3 safety role in camp. A 2022 third-rounder, Woods had a chance to unseat Gilman last summer but is no longer in the running for a starting role. Woods played just three games last season, with Finley — a 2023 UDFA — suiting up for 12. Summer addition Tony Jefferson, who decided to come out of retirement, also lingers for this part-time role.
Largest 2024 Cap Hits: Defense
As veteran report dates for training camps near, NFL payrolls are largely set. Extension- and trade-related matters remain, but as far as high cap numbers go, the list will not change much between now and Week 1. After we ran down the top cap charges on the offensive side of the ball last week, here are the highest 2024 figures tied to defenders:
- Maxx Crosby, EDGE (Raiders): $30.48MM
- T.J. Watt, EDGE (Steelers): $30.42MM
- Kenny Clark, DL (Packers): $27.49MM
- Joey Bosa, EDGE (Chargers): $26.11MM
- Khalil Mack, EDGE (Chargers): $25.39MM
- Montez Sweat, EDGE (Bears): $25.09MM
- Harold Landry, EDGE (Titans): $23.8MM
- Jaire Alexander, CB (Packers): $23.49MM
- Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): $22.88MM
- Tremaine Edmunds, LB (Bears): $22.44MM
- Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $22.41MM
- Jeffery Simmons, DL (Titans): $21.65MM
- Daron Payne, DL (Commanders): $21.61MM
- Jonathan Allen, DL (Commanders): $21.44MM
- Minkah Fitzpatrick, S (Steelers): $21.36MM
- Vita Vea, DL (Buccaneers): $20.97MM
- DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE (Cowboys): $20.46MM
- Quinnen Williams, DL (Jets): $20.4MM
- Grady Jarrett, DL (Falcons): $20.38MM
- Myles Garrett, EDGE (Browns): $20.17MM
- Trey Hendrickson, EDGE (Bengals): $20.17MM
- Derwin James, S (Chargers): $19.86MM
- Budda Baker, S (Cardinals): $19.03MM
- Charvarius Ward, CB (49ers): $18.4MM
- Marcus Williams, S (Ravens): $18.03MM
While a handful of quarterbacks are set to break the single-player record for cap hit — after this offseason’s $30.6MM cap spike — this year’s defensive hits do not check in on that level. Crosby and Watt are at $30MM, but those numbers do not match last year’s top defender cap hit — attached to then-Giants D-lineman Leonard Williams ($32.26MM). With Aaron Donald now in the dead money category following his retirement and Chris Jones extended, some new faces have climbed toward the top of this list.
The Raiders gave Crosby a $6MM 2024 pay bump to reward a former Day 3 pick who has unlocked another level while attached to an extension signed in 2022. Rather than greenlight a new deal for their top defender, the Raiders moved money around on his through-2026 extension to accommodate a rising market. This season now marks the highest cap hit on this Crosby contract.
Although the Chargers worked out pay-cut agreements with Bosa and Mack, both edge rushers are still among the most expensive — cap-wise — players in the league. The March reductions, however, moved Bosa’s cap number down from $36.6MM and lowered Mack’s from $38.5MM. With James tied to the second-highest 2024 safety figure, Jim Harbaugh‘s team — while clearing out costs on offense — remains among the top defensive spenders.
Two years remain on Watt’s deal, which has paid out its guaranteed money. With Nick Bosa having secured a defender-record extension and lower-production players — compared to Watt, at least — Brian Burns and Josh Allen surpassing the future Hall of Famer’s 2021 extension, a third Steelers-Watt agreement will likely be rumored soon. Heyward has expressed interest in a fourth Steelers contract, which would reduce his lofty cap figure, but the accomplished veteran has not heard much from the team’s side on this matter.
The Packers have begun talks with Clark on what would be a third extension. His current $17.5MM-per-year contract has fallen to 15th among active D-linemen. A new deal would update that figure for a reliable starter while reducing his 2024 cap hit. Despite rumors about the Pack separating from Alexander coming out in December, GM Brian Gutekunst shot down any such move associated with the league’s highest-paid corner.
Baker requested a trade last year, eyeing a deal closer to the James-Fitzpatrick level. The longtime Cardinal DB is in the final year of an extension agreed to back in 2020. Although the Cardinals are rebuilding, Baker has remained part of Jonathan Gannon‘s team. He expressed hope to stay in Arizona beyond 2024, and the Cardinals have the contract-year safety — the team’s longest-tenured starter, now that D.J. Humphries is off the roster — on the team going into his age-28 season.
Latest On Raiders WR Davante Adams
Davante Adams has continually attempted to make clear he wants to stay with the Raiders. Despite Las Vegas in transition at quarterback following the release of Adams Fresno State teammate Derek Carr, the All-Pro wide receiver has said on a few occasions he wants to remain a Raider.
This has not stopped speculation about a move, and a Trade Rumors Front Office piece last week explored the 11th-year wide receiver’s status as an accomplished 30-something on a retooling team. Aaron Rodgers then said he looks forward to playing with his former teammate once again, and Netflix’s Receiver series featured a scene in which Adams tied the benching of Jimmy Garoppolo to his own Raiders future.
[RELATED: Offseason In Review: Las Vegas Raiders]
Last week, Adams reiterated his desire to stay in Vegas under the Antonio Pierce–Tom Telesco regime. The third-year Raider brushed off rumors about a Rodgers reunion, calling them unrealistic. As this spree of trade rumors/denials persist, Adams’ agents indicated (via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter) they are not signs this partnership will end soon. Agents Kenny Chapman and Frank Bauer said no trade talks have taken place. This comes months after Telesco said Adams was not available at the Combine.
Adams, 31, is in a rather unusual situation. The Raiders fired the regime that traded first- and second-round picks for him, doing so after cutting Carr. Visible Adams frustration with the Raiders’ state of affairs transpired before the firings of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, and even after the Pierce elevation coincided with better performances, Adams finished with nearly 400 fewer receiving yards (1,144) compared to his 2022 All-Pro season. Counting Jarrett Stidham‘s starter stint, the Raiders could soon be on a fourth post-Carr QB — if Gardner Minshew lives up to his guarantee and unseats Aidan O’Connell — with a high-value trade chip taking up cap space.
While both Adams and Tyreek Hill signed backloaded extensions that raised the receiver AAV ceiling in 2022, the former’s deal features two seasons with monster base salaries. Due to two base salaries north of $35MM in 2025 and ’26, Adams’ cap numbers enter new territory in 2025. Tied to a $25.35MM number this year, the ex-Packer second-rounder’s figure rises to $44.1MM in 2025 and ’26. No guaranteed money remains on the contact beyond 2024.
The Dolphins have indicated they appear open to revising Hill’s contract; no contract talks between the Raiders and Adams are believed to have taken place. That makes sense due to the team having authorized a five-year deal in 2022, but Adams’ place on a team that may well not have its long-term QB hopeful on the current roster remains a bit curious. Expected contenders figure to call the Raiders, as some teams did before the 2023 deadline. Vegas struggling to start the season would stand to increase interest.
For now, though, all parties continue to insist no trade will happen. The Raiders would risk a diminished return in an Adams trade if they wanted until after this season, as Adams will turn 32 in December. But nothing appears close regarding a trade. Adams will soon head to training camp as a factor in the Minshew-O’Connell QB battle, which certainly represents a different stage of his career compared to being the top weapon during Rodgers’ third and fourth MVP seasons.