Davante Adams Traded to the New York Jets: A Move That Could Reshape the AFC Playoff Race

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In a blockbuster deal, Davante Adams is on the move, potentially shifting the balance in the AFC. The New York Jets made the announcement on Tuesday, confirming they have acquired the standout wide receiver from the Las Vegas Raiders. This trade could significantly influence the Jets’ postseason aspirations.

Trade Details: Conditional Draft Pick and Contract Restructure

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets sent a 2025 third-round draft pick to the Raiders, which could turn into a second-rounder based on Adams’ performance. Additional details about the trade include:

• The Raiders will not be paying any of Adams’ remaining salary.
• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Adams and the Jets agreed to a contract restructure for 2024, lowering his cap hit for the upcoming season.

Adams, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, is expected to make his Jets debut on Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Davante Adams’ Las Vegas Departure: How It All Unfolded

This move follows months of speculation around Adams’ future in Las Vegas:

• Earlier this year, his agents denied rumors of a potential trade, labeling them as “baseless, unfounded speculation.”
• After a 2-2 start to the season, things shifted, and on October 1st, NFL Network’s Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that Adams had requested a trade.
• The Raiders made it clear they were open to a deal if they could get a second-round pick and other assets in return.

Financial Factors Behind the Trade

There were several factors influencing the Raiders’ decision:

• Adams is set to earn a base salary of $35.6 million in 2025 and 2026, with a $44.1 million cap hit for both seasons.
• The Raiders are a team in rebuild mode, making Adams’ large salary a potential hindrance to their long-term goals.

Adams’ Performance and Decline: A Key Factor in the Move

While Davante Adams is still regarded as one of the NFL’s premier receivers, his production has been trending downward:

• In 2022, Adams caught 100 passes for 1,516 yards and led the league with 14 touchdowns.
• In 2023, he averaged less than 12 yards per catch and 70 yards per game, numbers significantly below his peak performance with the Green Bay Packers.

Though some of this decline can be attributed to the Raiders’ inconsistent quarterback play, Adams, at 31 years old, may not be immune to the natural aging process seen in elite receivers.

Jets’ Offense: What This Means for Their Receiving Corps

The addition of Adams raises questions about the Jets’ offense moving forward:

• Adams will reunite with Aaron Rodgers, who he has a strong connection with from their days in Green Bay.
• The Jets already have a crowded receiver group with Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Allen Lazard.
• This influx of talent could lead to one of these receivers seeing reduced playing time, which could be a challenge for the coaching staff to manage.

Conclusion: Can Adams Reignite His Career in New York?

The Jets are hoping that the trade for Davante Adams will give their offense a boost and help them compete in the tough AFC playoff race. Whether Adams can return to his All-Pro form and help the Jets make a deep postseason run remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes are higher than ever.