A proposed trade involving Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams and the New York Jets has garnered attention, despite its improbability. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested a hypothetical three-team trade that would see Adams join the Jets, reuniting him with Aaron Rodgers. The proposal involves the Jets trading a 2025 first-round pick to the Raiders, and a 2025 third-round pick along with Tyron Smith to the Cleveland Browns. In return, the Browns would send Amari Cooper to the Raiders.
It’s clear that this is a fantastical scenario, as indicated by the inclusion of three Pro Bowl players and complex negotiations. The NFL offseason often sparks such wild speculations due to the lack of actual games and significant news. However, the likelihood of this trade occurring is extremely low for several reasons.
Firstly, the Jets are highly unlikely to part with both a first-round and third-round pick, as well as Tyron Smith, an All-Pro left tackle they recently acquired in free agency. Smith is expected to be a cornerstone of their offensive line, making his inclusion in any trade proposal implausible. Additionally, the Browns would be hesitant to trade away their star wide receiver, Amari Cooper, for what they would likely perceive as insufficient compensation—a third-round pick and an aging left tackle on a short-term deal.
In this proposed trade, the Raiders appear to benefit the most, acquiring a first-round pick and Cooper in exchange for Adams. However, creating a trade that is favorable for all three teams involved is notoriously challenging in the NFL, which is why such trades are rarely seen. The Jets, for instance, are unlikely to jeopardize their offensive line stability, especially after drafting Olu Fashanu, by trading Smith.
Previously, an Adams trade might have seemed inevitable, particularly last year when there was speculation surrounding his future with the Raiders. The firing of Josh McDaniels and the appointment of Antonio Pierce as head coach have altered the dynamics, with Adams expressing contentment in Las Vegas and no desire to push for a trade. The Raiders would only consider moving Adams if they struggle significantly early in the season and decide to trade him before the deadline, not before the season starts.
Furthermore, even if the Raiders were to entertain trade offers for Adams, it’s unlikely they would receive a package as substantial as the one proposed. Adams is 31 years old and carries significant cap hits of $44 million each over the next two years, which would deter many teams from offering a high-value trade package. This is not reflective of typical NFL trade practices.
While the idea of reuniting Rodgers and Adams in New York is certainly intriguing, the reality of the situation suggests it is unlikely to happen, especially not through a trade proposal as convoluted and one-sided as the one suggested by Knox. The Jets and their fans are better off focusing on more realistic prospects for the upcoming season.
