Jets are finalizing trade for Raiders WR Davante Adams, sources say

The New York Jets are determined to save their season from derailment and maintain their hopes of ending their half-century Super Bowl drought. They are completing a blockbuster trade with star wide receiver Davante Adams, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The Las Vegas Raiders are receiving a conditional third-round draft pick that could develop into a second-round selection, sources told Schefter.

The Jets will pick up the balance of Adams’ remaining salary, a source told Schefter. Adams’ salary for this season is $17.5 million, with approximately $13.5 million still owed through the end of the season. And while he is under contract through 2025 and 2026, his annual salary increases to $36.25 million for each of those seasons.

The trade will reunite Adams with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in hopes of recreating one of the most dangerous duos in recent NFL history.

Adams, who turns 32 on Dec. 24, was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and achieved his greatest success with Rodgers as quarterback with the Green Bay Packers. From 2014 to 2021, they combined for 615 completions, 7,529 yards and 68 touchdowns. They were the NFL’s second most productive tandem during that period, behind only Matt Ryan and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Jets have been on a win-now mission since acquiring Rodgers from the Packers in 2023, coming off a three-game losing streak at 2-4. A reunion between Rodgers and Adams seemed inevitable, with Rodgers causing a stir in July. At a celebrity golf tournament he said: “I love Davante. I can’t wait to play with him again.”

Adams’ two-plus seasons in Las Vegas will come to a tumultuous end as Adams falls out of favor with coach Antonio Pierce and eventually requests a trade. He identified the Jets as his first choice and got his wish as the Jets outbid other teams.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas expressed interest in Adams at the 2023 trade deadline, but was rebuffed by the Raiders. He never lost interest, sources said, and regularly checked on his potential availability. This time he acted quickly to get it done.

The move increases pressure on Douglas and interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who replaced the fired Robert Saleh last week. The Jets have missed the playoffs 13 straight seasons, the league’s longest active drought – including the last three under Saleh.

Adams joins a crowded receiving corps that also includes rising stars Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams and Allen Lazard. They also have Xavier Gipson, who also handles punt and kickoff returns, and rookie Malachi Corley.

Rodgers compared Wilson to a young Adams. The two haven’t hit consistently yet, but Wilson is coming off his most productive game – 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets.

Adams was originally acquired from the Raiders on March 17, 2022 in a blockbuster trade with the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders sent first- and second-round draft picks to the Packers, so Adams, who grew up in Palo Alto, Calif., couldn’t. After seven seasons in Green Bay, he’s not only closer to home, but he’s also scoring again to his college quarterback at Fresno State, Derek Carr. But Carr was benched with two games left in a 6-11 season and was cut in the offseason.

Still, Adams was named first-team All-Pro in 2022, catching 100 passes for 1,516 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns. A year later, with Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer and Aidan O’Connell at quarterback, Adams had 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdown catches.

With Gardner Minshew at quarterback this season, Adams had 18 receptions for 209 yards and a touchdown in three games. He has missed the Raiders’ last three games with a hamstring injury.