New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed Friday that he initially ignored a phone call from wide receiver Davante Adams late Monday night, unaware that his former Green Bay Packers teammate had been traded to the Jets.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini and Paul Gutierrez, Rodgers said he declined Adams’ call about an hour after the Jets’ 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, frustrated by the defeat. When Adams called again around 1 a.m. ET Tuesday, Rodgers picked up.
Adams called to inform Rodgers of the trade but didn’t break the news right away. “We actually talked about the game for a good amount of time before I said anything about being on the way,” Adams shared.
Rodgers recalled feeling anxious when Adams mentioned he was about to board a red-eye flight: “He said he was getting on a plane, and I just kind of—my heart dropped. I was like, ‘To where?'”
Once Adams revealed the trade, Rodgers’ mood improved significantly.
Cimini and Gutierrez noted that several teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills, had shown interest in acquiring Adams. However, the Jets ultimately sealed the deal by taking on Adams’ contract and sending the Las Vegas Raiders a conditional third-round pick.
Adams and Rodgers had a strong connection during their eight years together in Green Bay, where Rodgers was his quarterback. Five of Adams’ six Pro Bowl selections and two of his three First Team All-Pro honors came with Rodgers under center. This included 2020 when Adams scored 18 touchdowns, and 2021 when he posted a career-high 1,553 receiving yards.
Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards during those seasons, and while his current campaign with the Jets has had its ups and downs, Adams’ addition gives him one of the top receiving groups in the league, joining Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
The 2-4 Jets face an uphill battle to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, beginning with a Sunday night game against the Steelers.
