Dec 19, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after scoring a second quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tuesday morning, the New York Jets completed the worst kept secret in the NFL by trading for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams.
The Jets gave up a conditional third-round draft pick that can become a second-round pick based on performance, according to reports. This trade comes after Adams told the Raiders that he preferred to be moved.
This trade also comes after the Jets lost on Monday Night Football to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets are 2-4 and in third place of the AFC East, behind the Bills and Miami Dolphins.
Adams reuniting with former Green Bay Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers makes for a nice story. The reunion with college quarterback Derek Carr didn’t work too well in Las Vegas, but there’s no denying that Rodgers and Adams made some sweet music together during their time in Green Bay.
The Jets needed another receiver. But Adams will turn 32 years old before the NFL Playoffs. It’s well documented that Rodgers is 40 and will turn 41 before the playoffs. Oh yeah, it’s also pretty well documented that he’s coming off of an Achilles injury.
But Rodgers looks alright coming back from injury. On Monday night, he completed a thrilling Hail Mary at the end of the first half to Allen Lazard.
But that’s sort of the issue with these Jets as currently assembled. It’s Rodgers and a bunch of former Packers cast-offs. Other former teammates to follow Rodgers to the Big Apple include Randall Cobb, Billy Turner, Malik Taylor, Tim Boyle, Adrian Amos and assistant coach Nathaniel Hackett.
Hackett recently had his play-calling duties stripped in favor of quarterback’s coach Todd Downing, who showcased his desire to run the football in Monday night’s loss. Breece Hall rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries. Rookie Braelon Allen had three attempts for eight yards.
Ever since the Jets traded for Rodgers, it feels like they’ve had a bit of an identity crisis. Rodgers denies that he had any say in firing head coach Robert Saleh, but it certainly looked like a move to benefit the quarterback.
Acquiring Adams won’t help that identity crisis. Young star receiver Garrett Wilson, who was finally starting to carve out his role with eight catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on Monday night, is now presumably Rodgers’ second option.
Not to mention, free agent Mike Williams, who everyone thought would be the savior for the Jets when he signed a one-year deal earlier this year, is now reportedly a candidate to be traded. He has just 10 catches for 145 yards on the season and has yet to find the end zone.
Adams bounced from one 2-4 ball club to another. The Jets have a way better chance at making the playoffs and have a relatively easy schedule remaining.
But is a first-round exit in the AFC Playoffs really what the Jets faithful dreamed off when they made that trade? Adams and Rodgers better play the hits if they want to get any further than that.
