Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has reportedly informed the team that he would prefer to be traded. Adams, regarded as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, has laid the “groundwork for an eventual split,” according to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. While nothing is imminent, this revelation raises questions about the Raiders’ willingness to part with their star player.
The situation gained more attention when Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce liked an Instagram post suggesting that Adams had played his last game with the team. When asked about this in an interview on the show “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, the wide receiver stated he had not spoken to Pierce and was unsure about the meaning behind the social media activity. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders might consider trading Adams in exchange for a package that includes a second-round draft pick and additional compensation.
Adams, now 31, began his football career at Fresno State, where he played two seasons before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first NFL touchdown in October 2014 on an 11-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers, which also marked Rodgers’ 200th career touchdown. Initially playing behind veteran receivers like Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, Adams began to emerge as a key player by the 2016 season. His breakout year led to his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017, and he later signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension with the Packers.
During his time with Green Bay, Adams solidified his reputation as Rodgers’ go-to receiver and close friend, leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2020. Over eight seasons with the Packers, Adams missed only 13 games and was selected to five Pro Bowls. In March 2022, after being placed under the Packers’ franchise tag, Adams refused to play under those terms, prompting a trade to the Raiders. The Raiders gave up their 2022 first-round and second-round picks in exchange, and Adams signed a five-year, $141.25 million contract, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history at that time. The move reunited him with his former college quarterback, Derek Carr.
However, Carr was released by the Raiders after a disappointing 2022 season. Adams then played with Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023, achieving 100 receptions for 1,516 receiving yards, setting a Raiders franchise record, and leading the league with 14 touchdowns. Despite Adams’ strong performance, Garoppolo was released after just one season. Now, with Gardner Minshew as the Raiders’ third starting quarterback in less than three years, Adams has struggled in 2024, recording just 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown so far. He also missed the Raiders’ Week 4 win against the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury. Currently, the Raiders stand at 2-2.
Adams’ future with the Raiders remains uncertain, but his trade request signals a desire for change. If the Raiders choose to move on from their star receiver, the team will likely look to receive valuable draft picks and assets in return.