Wide receiver Davante Adams will not be joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on October 15 that the Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to trade Adams to the New York Jets.
“Reunited with his good friend, Aaron Rodgers,” Rapoport tweeted. “As Las Vegas moves on.”
The trade comes just three days after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that the Steelers had shown “strong interest” in acquiring Adams.
“The consensus from sources is that Las Vegas initially approached the Saints and Jets, partly because Adams expressed interest in those teams,” Fowler wrote. “However, as time passed, the possibility of Pittsburgh getting involved grew.”
But following the Jets’ 2-4 start after a Monday night loss to the Buffalo Bills, New York secured the 3-time All-Pro receiver.
Raiders Trade Davante Adams to the Jets
Since trade rumors began circulating, the Jets had been leading the race to land Adams. However, most NFL insiders didn’t expect the deal to happen immediately.
Fowler reported that the earliest it could take place was after Week 6.
It’s likely the trade was delayed due to negotiations over compensation and Adams’ salary. ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated that the Raiders were seeking a second-round pick and did not want to retain any of Adams’ salary.
The Jets ultimately agreed to those terms. According to Schefter, New York is sending a conditional third-round pick to the Raiders, which could turn into a second-rounder.
The Jets also agreed to take on the remainder of Adams’ 5-year, $140 million contract.
Adams is set to carry a cap hit of $36.25 million for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, though there’s a potential out before the 2025 season.
In the end, Adams will get the chance to reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The duo played eight seasons together in Green Bay.
Adams made the Pro Bowl in each of his final five seasons with the Packers, earning first-team All-Pro honors in his last two years there.
This season, Adams has recorded 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown.
Social Media Reactions to Adams Joining the Jets
Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), was filled with jokes following the trade to New York.
On paper, a Rodgers-Adams reunion could provide a boost to the Jets’ offense. But at 40 years old, Rodgers is no longer playing at his former MVP level.
Adams, now 31, still recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in 2023, though his yards per catch dropped by more than four yards last season.
Additionally, he has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury.
Commentator Tyler Conway humorously compared the Rodgers-Adams reunion to NBA stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce reuniting with the Brooklyn Nets after winning a title with the Boston Celtics.
Even if Adams helps the Jets’ passing attack, fantasy football analyst Michael Hauff questioned his overall impact.
“Davante Adams going from the dysfunctional Raiders to the dysfunctional Jets,” Hauff tweeted along with a video of a clown walking around.
Others also poked fun at Adams’ hamstring issues.
Adams’ health remains a key concern, especially for the Steelers, who didn’t land the star receiver. Pittsburgh will face the Jets on October 20.
Adams could make his Jets debut against the Steelers’ No. 17 ranked pass defense.
The Steelers avoided facing Adams when they played the Raiders in Week 6, but if he performs well this weekend, it could further highlight Pittsburgh’s need for a receiver.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, however, reminded fans that a trade for Adams was always unlikely.
“You can’t complain that the Steelers didn’t trade for Davante Adams,” Kaboly wrote on X. “The guy wanted to play with Aaron Rodgers — the quarterback he spent 8 years with and had his most success with.
“There was nothing the Steelers could do about that.”
