The Green Bay Packers locked up quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and now they’ve secured the services of wide receiver Davante Adams with the franchise tag. Adams, 29, returns under an $18.419 million franchise tender as the Packers plan to officially make him their franchise player before Tuesday afternoon’s NFL deadline. Adams is a huge piece of Rodgers’ return on a blockbuster contract expected to pay him $50 million annually.
Packers place franchise tag on Davante Adams, who had a stellar 2021 season
Adams in 2021 had arguably the best season of his career. Considering all that he has accomplished thus far, that’s quite a statement. In 2021, Adams played in 16 games and pulled in 123 passes for 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns. His catch rate (72.8%) and yards per game (97.1) were well above his career averages.
Adams made his fifth Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro for the second time. And while the Packers’ red-zone efficiency wasn’t the same as when he led the NFL with 18 receiving touchdowns in 2020, he was still a threat in and around the end zone. His 11 touchdowns ranked fourth in the NFC.
In just eight seasons, Adams is already second in Packers history in receptions (669) and touchdown catches (73). He’s fourth in receiving yards (8,121).
Could Adams shatter records with a new contract?
Adams just finished up a four-year, $58 million contract extension that turned out to be great value for the Packers. Adams was 19th in average annual value among wide receivers in 2021, making less than inferior players like Amari Cooper, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Golladay, Julio Jones, and Robert Woods.
Whenever Adams gets the multi-year contract he deserves, it could be a record-breaker. Spotrac estimates his market value at $25.8 million annually. Figuring out a way to make that fit on the Packers’ balance sheet is a challenge.
“We’re hopeful that we can come to an agreement with Davante,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said during the season. “I told him that he’s definitely earned the respect of not only his teammates but all of his coaches, as well, and I think everybody in this organization.
“Just his ability to compartmentalize his own situation and go out there and compete at the level he did each and every week, putting himself out there, obviously, in a contract year and just bringing it and playing at the highest of levels. He’s the best receiver in the league.”
Adam is the No. 1 player on PFN’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings
Adams was the No. 1 player on PFN’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings list. Now, the Packers will have him and Aaron Rodgers back together for at least another season.