Davante Adams' status with the Jets grows blurrier after GM’s latest statement
The New York Jets has a decision to make on wide receiver Davante Adams. Even though the offensive weapon has two years left on his deal, the contract was always built to have two expensive final years to inflate the yearly average. If the Jets are not willing to pay him $36.25 million per year […]
The New York Jets has a decision to make on wide receiver Davante Adams. Even though the offensive weapon has two years left on his deal, the contract was always built to have two expensive final years to inflate the yearly average.
If the Jets are not willing to pay him $36.25 million per year over the next two seasons, a trade or release will likely happen.
"Davante is on the team right now," Jets general manager Darren Mougey said during his media availability at the NFL Combine. "Obviously, we have a plan there. In the next few weeks, we'll kind of address that issue. But Davante is on the team."
Theoretically, the Jets could talk to Adams trying to reduce the salary. But without quarterback Aaron Rodgers and starting a new process, it's hard to imagine that Davante would agree to any type of contract adjustment.
"Again, all those private discussions that we've had with Davante and his representation, we'll keep private for now," Mougey added.
In 2022, when Adams was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Las Vegas Raiders, he signed a five-year, $140 million contract. However, his $28 million yearly average wasn't the most precise representation of the deal. It was more of a three-year, $66 million contract, with these two final years projected to be an inflection point, giving both sides a chance to part ways or to renegotiate.
During last season, the Jets gave up a third-round pick to acquire Adams from the Raiders. He played 11 games and had 67 receptions for 854 yards and seven touchdowns. If the Jets release him, there won't be any type of compensation—cut players don't count towards the compensatory pick formula.
Mougey said there is a plan in place, but there actually isn't much left to do. If Adams doesn't accept any type of paycut, the only realistic options are the release or trying to find a trade partner—which would also likely have to include Adams' willingness to negotiate, because it's nearly impossible for any team to absorb his current deal.
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