Report: Aaron Rodgers trying to recruit WR Davante Adams to New York Jets
In perhaps some of the least surprising news in the offseason, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is trying to recruit his former teammate, wide receiver Davante Adams, to come play for the Jets. The news broke a few hours before the Super Bowl, in a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Reports surfaced a few months ago of Jets pursuing Adams
In late November of 2023, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the news broke that the Jets wanted to pursue Adams in the offseason following what turned out to be a very disappointing season.
Schefter’s sources also said they believe that the determining factor in whether the Raiders consider trading Adams could be how their season finishes.
“Since naming Antonio Pierce as interim head coach, the Raiders (5-5) have won both of their games and garnered recognition and respect from around the league, while Adams has looked and sounded extremely happy,” Schefter claimed.
The former second-round draft pick had his fifth 1,000-yard receiving season in 2023-2024. Adams hauled in 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s managed to do that amid plenty of upheaval from inside the Raiders’ organization.
After his trade to Las Vegas, the former Packers star signed a five-year, $140 million deal, which keeps him locked in with the team through 2026. The Raiders do have a potential out in the contract following the 2024 season, however.
Rodgers and Adams left the Packers as two of the best players in franchise history. The QB ranks No. 1 in career passing touchdowns (475) and second in total yards (59,055), while the wideout is second in receiving scores (73) and fourth in yardage (8,121).
Earlier in the 2021-2022 season, Adams joined some rarified air. The former Packers legend became the sixth player in NFL history with 600+ receptions, 8,000+ receiving yards, and 70+ receiving touchdowns in his first eight seasons. In checking off all those stat boxes, Adams joined a class of receivers that are all currently or will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Marvin Harrison.
Once it comes time to hang up his cleats, there’s no question Adams will end up in the Hall of Fame. He has led the NFL in receiving touchdowns twice in his career (2020 and 2022). He’s also been named to the Pro Bowl six times in his career.
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.