The New York Jets, determined to salvage their season and end their five-decade-long Super Bowl drought, are close to completing a blockbuster trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.
In exchange for Adams, the Las Vegas Raiders will receive a conditional third-round draft pick, which could escalate to a second-round selection. For that to happen, Adams must either earn first- or second-team All-Pro honors this season or remain on the Jets’ active roster through the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl, according to sources.
Adams arrived in New Jersey early Tuesday on a red-eye flight and is currently undergoing a physical to finalize the trade, per Schefter. The Jets will assume the remainder of Adams’ contract, which includes $17.5 million this season, with $11.59 million still owed. Adams is under contract for 2025 and 2026, where his annual salary will jump to $36.25 million per season. Meanwhile, the Raiders will face dead cap charges of $13.67 million in 2024 and $15.7 million in 2025.
The trade reunites Adams with his former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in hopes of reigniting one of the NFL’s most dangerous duos. Over their time together in Green Bay, Rodgers and Adams formed a highly productive partnership. Rodgers has targeted Adams more than any other player in his career, with 907 targets, 615 completions, 7,517 yards, and 68 touchdowns.
Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed the deal during the NFL’s fall owners meeting in Atlanta, describing it as “in the hopper.” Johnson praised Adams’ impact, particularly highlighting his relationship with Rodgers.
Adams, who turns 32 in December, is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and achieved his greatest success while playing with Rodgers in Green Bay. Between 2014 and 2021, the pair combined for 615 receptions, 7,529 yards, and 68 touchdowns—ranking as the NFL’s second-most prolific duo during that period, only trailing Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
The Jets, now on a three-game losing streak at 2-4, have been in a win-now mode since acquiring Rodgers from the Packers in 2023. A reunion between Rodgers and Adams seemed inevitable, especially after Rodgers hinted at the possibility at a celebrity golf tournament in July, saying, “I love Davante. I can’t wait to play with him… again.”
Johnson remains confident that the Jets’ season is far from over, stating, “We’re going to kick… you can add the words after that. We’re going to do really well.”
Adams’ time with the Raiders is coming to a rocky end after two-plus seasons, with Adams reportedly falling out of favor with head coach Antonio Pierce and eventually requesting a trade. The Jets were Adams’ top choice, and the team outbid other suitors to land the wide receiver.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas had shown interest in Adams during the 2023 trade deadline but was turned down by the Raiders. However, he remained persistent, checking in periodically on Adams’ availability before finally sealing the deal.
This move puts more pressure on Douglas and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who stepped in after Robert Saleh was fired last week. The Jets are facing a 13-season playoff drought—the longest active streak in the NFL.
Adams joins a talented receiving corps that already includes emerging star Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Allen Lazard. Xavier Gipson handles punt and kickoff returns, and rookie Malachi Corley adds further depth. Rodgers has previously compared Wilson to a young Adams, though the two struggled to connect early in the season. However, Wilson has recently improved, with 21 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games.
Williams, meanwhile, has had difficulties. In Monday night’s 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Rodgers noted that Williams ran the wrong route on the final play, leading to an interception—the second straight game where Rodgers’ final pass was picked off, both times intended for Williams.
Adams initially joined the Raiders in 2022 in a blockbuster trade with the Packers, who received first- and second-round draft picks. Adams had wanted to play closer to home after seven seasons in Green Bay and to reunite with his college quarterback, Derek Carr. However, after Carr was benched during the 2022 season and subsequently released, Adams’ time in Las Vegas became tumultuous.
Despite the instability, Adams was named first-team All-Pro in 2022, with 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns. In 2023, despite playing with multiple quarterbacks, Adams still recorded 103 receptions for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns.
This season, Adams has been limited to just three games with 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown due to a hamstring injury but will now look to bounce back with the Jets.