After weeks of speculation, the Davante Adams trade saga reached its conclusion on Tuesday when the Las Vegas Raiders traded the star wide receiver to the New York Jets. In exchange, the Raiders received a conditional third-round pick, marking the end of Adams’ brief stint in Las Vegas and reuniting him with his former Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Now, the duo faces a steep challenge as they aim to turn around a Jets team that sits at 2-4, hoping for a strong midseason push to revive their playoff hopes.
On Wednesday, Adams spoke to the media for the first time since the trade, offering insight into what led to his decision to leave Las Vegas. The move comes after he was traded to the Raiders in 2022 and signed a massive $141 million contract. While there was plenty of speculation about why Adams wanted out, the wideout cleared the air, addressing the frustrations he felt during his time with the Raiders.
“All the fans, everybody who’s associated with the Raiders, they see ‘trade demand’ and they think it’s like, ‘he wants out, he’s quitting on the team,’” Adams said. “But it’s more about just being able to feel like I can… I don’t want that helpless feeling when I’m on the field. Not every game is going to be a 100-yard or 150, 200-yard game. But I want to feel like I can impact the game every time I touch the field.”
Adams emphasized that his desire to leave wasn’t about chasing individual accolades or stat lines, but rather about being put in a position to contribute meaningfully to his team’s success. “I want to have the confidence that I’ll be able to make some plays and change the game, if need be, versus getting out there and feeling like we need too many things to go right in order for me to be successful,” he explained. “And when I say ‘me be successful,’ I don’t mean me going out and having an All-Pro year every time… Sometimes you’ve got to make it easier and get to a situation that allows you to be yourself.”
Adams’ comments suggest that his frustrations were rooted less in the Raiders’ overall competitiveness—a common theory circulating before the trade—and more in the system he was playing in.
Despite the talent Adams brought to the Raiders, it seemed like he was too often left out of the game-changing moments, making him feel disconnected from the team’s offensive rhythm.
Interestingly, Adams did not dwell on the competitiveness of the Raiders as a driving factor for his trade request. While some speculated that his frustrations stemmed from the team’s lack of championship potential, Adams focused more on his individual role and how he was utilized.
Although the Jets aren’t currently in a much better position to contend for a championship, they do boast a proven quarterback in Rodgers, something the Raiders lacked, and a more promising roster overall.
The reunion with Rodgers appears to be a major reason for Adams’ optimism about his new team. In New York, he believes he will be a key target in crucial moments, knowing that Rodgers will look to him when the Jets need a big play.
This familiarity and trust between quarterback and wide receiver could reignite Adams’ ability to impact games in the way he desires.
Adams is now preparing to make his debut with the Jets on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Rodgers-Adams connection can work the same magic it did in Green Bay and if this move can help turn the Jets’ season around.
For Adams, it’s a fresh start in a system where he feels empowered to make a difference every time he steps onto the field.
