The Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers agreed to a blockbuster trade centered around wideout Davante Adams on Thursday. The Raiders also agreed to sign Adams to a record-setting five-year contract extension ahead of the deal.
Packers trade Davante Adams to Raiders
The Packers will send Adams, widely considered the best wide receiver in the NFL. Adams will receive a five-year, $141.25 million contract, which will make him the highest-paid wide receiver in league history, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Adams was slated to play on the franchise tag before the Packers and Raiders reached a trade agreement.
The Packers will receive the Raiders’ first- and second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, according to Rapoport. Those selections are slated as the 22nd and 53rd overall picks.
Let’s take a look at how all parties fared in the deal.
Davante Adams
The Fresno State alum is headed back out West with a lot of money in the bank. He’s set to make more than DeAndre Hopkins, who reworked a pre-existing contract with the Arizona Cardinals upon his trade from the Houston Texans. Set to average $28.25 million per season, Adams has set the bar outrageously high for the position, as he’s getting paid more than some elite edge rushers and solidified starting QBs.
While Adams is leaving Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers, he should be thrilled to reunite with college teammate Derek Carr. Adams and Carr played together for two seasons at Fresno State and have remained close friends. The pair should excel in Las Vegas under new head coach Josh McDaniels.
Grade: A
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are really looking to take advantage of their new regime’s era. First, the Raiders signed edge rusher Chandler Jones to a massive contract, and now they’ve acquired the top wideout in the game. Adams’ familiarity with Carr is a massive plus and likely solidifies the QB’s spot on the roster.
Adams is the dynamic playmaker the Raiders have lacked for years. Carr, Adams, and tight end Darren Waller should form an impressive trio of stars on the Raiders’ offense. This is an absolute slam dunk for the Raiders, who wouldn’t have sniffed a WR of Adams’ caliber with their first-round pick.
GRADE: A
Green Bay Packers
Oh boy … this probably won’t end all that well. While Rodgers’ deal has been inked already, losing his top playmaking weapon will be a massive shock to the system. Rodgers reportedly knew this deal was coming, especially with the Raiders negotiating a new contract with Adams. But that probably doesn’t make this any easier.
Adams, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, wanted to play on a different team, despite the Packers’ willingness to match the Raiders’ offer.
Losing the best player at his position is never a win, even if first-round picks are on the other end of the deal. The Packers will now try to surround Rodgers with young prospects who can make plays on the ball.
The Packers could look to re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who remains on the open market. They’ve also placed a second-round tender on Allen Lazard, so he is likely to return to the mix this season.
Green Bay got two premium picks for Adams, but that might not be enough to keep them surging through the NFC. Super Bowl contenders typically acquire great talent in the offseason instead of trading it away. The Packers have a lot more work to do on offense now.
GRADE: C