Raiders star tells team he prefers to be traded 4 games into season
Updated October 1, 2024 - 6:55 pm
Davante Adams and the Raiders appear headed toward a breakup.
Multiple sources confirmed Adams has told the team he prefers to be traded. The Raiders have begun making calls to other clubs to gauge interest in the star wide receiver.
Adams’ relationship with coach Antonio Pierce seems to have deteriorated. He has also grown frustrated with the team’s struggles during his two-plus seasons in Las Vegas.
The Raiders declined to comment on the situation.
Adams, who missed Sunday’s game against the Browns with a hamstring injury he suffered in practice last week, made it apparent he and Pierce were not seeing eye-to-eye during his weekly appearance on the “Up and Adams” show Tuesday. He told host Kay Adams that he and Pierce have not talked recently, though they appeared to chat before Sunday’s game.
Davante Adams was asked on the show about a recent report that said he had played his final game with the Raiders. He did not issue a strong denial, despite doing so when previous rumors surfaced about him being unhappy with the organization.
“All I can control is the next thing I’m on to,” he said.
Kay Adams closed the appearance by telling Davante Adams: “I hope you hear from your coach today.”
“Yeah, I do, too,” Davante Adams said.
The Raiders acquired the receiver in March 2022 after sending a first- and second-round pick to the Packers. Adams was good friends with then-quarterback Derek Carr, his former Fresno State teammate.
The fit appeared ideal given Adams, 32, grew up rooting for the Raiders in Northern California. But Carr was benched during Adams’ first season with the team and was released the following offseason. Adams also wasn’t able to replicate the success he had in Green Bay from an individual or team standpoint.
He had 669 catches for 8,121 yards and 73 touchdowns in 116 games with the Packers and made the playoffs six times in eight seasons. He has 221 receptions for 2,869 yards and 23 touchdowns in 37 games with the Raiders and hasn’t reached the postseason in his first two-plus years with the team.
Adams has dealt with a quarterback carousel during his time in Las Vegas, catching passes from Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. That’s one reason the Raiders are 16-22 during his tenure.
Among the teams that could be interested in Adams are the Jets, who are quarterback by Adams’ former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers. The Bills — who expressed interest in trading for Adams last year — could also give the Raiders a call, as well as the Commanders and the Chiefs.
Adams has a $25.35 million cap hit this season. He has two years remaining on his contract, but his salaries in both those seasons are not guaranteed.
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.