Raiders WR Davante Adams talks building a relationship with Jimmy Garoppolo
The Las Vegas Raiders and their star player are both dealing with something they haven't in a very long time. For the Raiders, they have to work with a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2013. Derek Carr, the former franchise guy, spent nine seasons with the Raiders. So, it's safe to say […]
The Las Vegas Raiders and their star player are both dealing with something they haven't in a very long time.
For the Raiders, they have to work with a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2013. Derek Carr, the former franchise guy, spent nine seasons with the Raiders. So, it's safe to say he is all they have really known for the last decade, really.
For their star player, Davante Adams, it's sort of the same thing. The last time he had to learn to play with a new quarterback was in 2014 with Aaron Rodgers when Adams was a rookie. Even before that, he had played with Carr in college, so coming to Vegas, he didn't have to worry about it.
Now he does, because Carr is gone, and Jimmy Garoppolo is in. Even if Garoppolo doesn't play the first few weeks, or at any time during the season because of an injury, Adams would have to learn how to play with Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell. So, no matter what he will be doing something fairly new this season.
But that doesn't mean he isn't excited.
"I'm ecstatic to get to work with the new guys. Jimmy is a great guy, I love him to death," Adams told the media on Thursday. "I didn't know him very well before he got here, but getting to work together a little bit, be around each other, and getting to know him, he's a great guy, and definitely excited to get to work with him and everybody else that's in here… I don't ever want Jimmy [Garoppolo] to feel a way, think that I didn't want him here or I don't like him."
Adams was asked about his recent comments on not seeing eye-to-eye with the front office, which of course, stems from the move-on of Derek Carr, Adams' best friend. But, because of how often people take things out of context, he had to let everyone know how he feels about his new quarterback.
But, as I'm sure he feels this same exact way, it's time to move forward and put the past in the past. There is nothing we, he, or they can do to bring back Carr or make the moves Adams thinks they should have made.
He has already said that just because he said what he said, doesn't mean he is disgruntled. It doesn't mean he wants out of Las Vegas now. It was just him expressing his emotions at that time. Adams has already moved on and is excited to work with Garoppolo.
With the new quarterback hurt though, it can be difficult to make sure that the two of them build the connection they need. And it is a vital part of the offense – having chemistry.
When you look at some of the best offenses in the league or even in the past, they all had great quarterback-receiver/tight-end duos. In Kansas City, it's Mahomes and Kelce, even in Green Bay before with Adams and Rodgers. It's something that needs to happen.
But how can they do that when Garoppolo is rehabbing and not on the field?
"Tape, talk, all that stuff, learning each other," Adams said. "I think Aaron [Rodgers] and I's connection on the field went to another level when our relationship off the field went to another level. So, just chopping it up with him. I've gotten to know him pretty well. I mean, obviously, it's only been about six weeks or so since we've been doing it, but I know a decent amount about him now and I feel like that'll help us on the field, just knowing him and knowing the way he thinks, some of the things he said to me about what he's seen from me on tape and what he's seen from your practice. That type of stuff helps too."
The Raiders used the 2023 offseason to bring in some guys on the offense that know how to run the system. McDaniels offensive system stems back to his days with the New England Patriots, which is why Jakobi Meyers, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Brian Hoyer all already know the system even though they are new additions. The three of them played for McDaniels previously.
The offense can be elite if everything goes the way it's supposed to, and that starts with Garoppolo and Adams. He had a great season last year, even in an inconsistent offense and it was his first year in a new system.
If he and Garoppolo can build a connection and fire on all cylinders, the offense will be great. Either way, we know Adams will get his, as he always does. It's a big reason why he is the best in the game.
