Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams has displayed a ton of frustration in his first season with the team.
Acquired from the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade last spring, Adams has turned in a tremendous individual performance. It comes within the confines of broader team-wide struggles for the Raiders. They just benched longtime quarterback Derek Carr and are eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 18.
There’s been some speculation that Adams wants out of dodge following Carr’s benching. After all, the embattled quarterback played college ball with Adams at Fresno State and was one of the primary reasons the receiver opted to head to Vegas.
In talking to the media on Wednesday, a few days before their season finale, Adams made it clear that he wants to return to the Raiders. He also didn’t mince words about the Raiders’ quarterback situation. Per Tashan Reed of The Athletic, Adams wants some input when it comes to this decision during the offseason.
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Adams, 30, played his first eight seasons with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. He’s not about to waste away with less-than-stellar QB play in Sin City.
Related: Davante Adams and the NFL’s top WRs of 2023
Davante Adams’ power play and what it means for the Las Vegas Raiders
Despite the performance we saw from Jarrett Stidham in a narrow Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, it seems unlikely he’ll be Vegas’ QB1 once the 2023 season comes calling. For his part, Carr is as good as done with the Raiders after nine up-and-down seasons.
If Adams is hellbent on playing a role in the Raiders’ quarterback decision, there’s likely only going to be a few options.
Perhaps, Rodgers looks to join his former teammate in Sin City. While Green Bay is in the midst of the NFL Playoff race, the quarterback’s relationship with the organization has been questionable at times. Rodgers also requested a trade early this past offseason before signing a record-breaking contract extension.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady nearly signed with the Raiders ahead of the 2020 season before owner Mark Davis reportedly nixed the deal. He’s now being linked to Las Vegas again with questions surrounding the quarterback’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Davante Adams stats (2022): 95 receptions, 1,443 yards, 14 TD
As you can see above, Adams is finishing up shop on yet another brilliant season. Top-end quarterbacks such as Rodgers and Brady would love to play with someone of his ilk.
What does this all mean? Las Vegas won’t be able to settle for an average quarterback if it is going to appease the outspoken Adams. That likely eliminates the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett, Daniel Jones and Geno Smith in free agency.