Davante Adams made it known that he would not be playing under the franchise tag for the Green Bay Packers and that appears to be the case.
The Las Vegas Raiders are acquiring Adams from the Packers in exchange for their 2022 firs-and second-round draft selections. They are giving the superstar receiver a new five-year, $141.24 million deal, according to sources. Adams will earn an annual salary of $28.25 million and become the new highest paid wide receiver in NFL history. The picks being sent to Green Bay in the trade are the No. 22 and No. 53 overall in April’s 2022 NFL Draft.
This deal has been in the works, behind the scene, for the last several days, with the teams finalizing details and contract extension for Adams being worked out. It is expected to be completed barring any late setbacks.
Adams, who turned 29 in December, has been a part of a dynamic duo with back-to-back NFL MVP recipient Aaron Rodgers, who recently resigned with Green Bay. Rodgers was aware, during his contract negotiations, that Adams “would never play for the Packers again” as “the situation was too far gone,” according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Adams’ disappointment over contract negotiations, although largely kept out of the public eye, dates back to last summer, noted NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The trade reunites Adams with his collegiate quarterback from Fresno State, Derek Carr. Adams recently purchased a house “right next to his new QB,’ Rapoport noted.
In their two years together at Fresno State, they made magic. Adams led the Football Bowl Subdivision in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Carr was the leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Now Carr, who was in desperate need of a No. 1 wide out, has Adams, tight end Darrell Waller and receiver Hunter Renfrow at his disposal.
However, Green Bay now is in major need at the receiver position. Two of the receivers in their rotation last year are free agents: deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. The Bears signed St. Brown on Thursday, but now the Packers have cap space to bring back Valdes-Scantling if they choose. They also put the second-round tender on restricted free agent receiver Allen Lazard. Randall Cobb also returned to the Packers but with a massive pay cut from $7.875 to $2.075 million.
In his eight seasons with the Packers, Adams has been selected for five Pro Bowls and two All-Pros. He is arguably regarded as the top receiver in football. In the 2021 season, he had a career-high 1,553 yards, a career high 123 receptions and 11 touchdowns. It was Adams 5th season with double-digit touchdowns, third over 1,000 yards and third with more than 100 catches.
