Packers WR Davante Adams has an obvious plan for his future in Green Bay
Star wide receiver Davante Adams has reportedly told the Green Bay Packers that he won't play on the franchise tag in 2022. Green Bay placed the franchise tag on Adams last week after quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced his intentions to return to the Packers in 2022. Adams wants a long-term deal. But he and the […]
Star wide receiver Davante Adams has reportedly told the Green Bay Packers that he won't play on the franchise tag in 2022.
Green Bay placed the franchise tag on Adams last week after quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced his intentions to return to the Packers in 2022.
Adams wants a long-term deal. But he and the Packers are "far apart" so far in their negotiations, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
I initially thought playing under the tag might be an option for Adams since we don't know how many more years Rodgers will play in Green Bay (I think Rodgers-Mania will continue every offseason until he retires). The Packers aren't nearly as attractive to Adams without Rodgers. I could see Adams not wanting to commit long-term to Green Bay without the security of knowing the Packers' long-term quarterback plans.
Adams, though, has a plan.
At least I think he does.
I think Adams knows that his value right now as a 29-year-old wide receiver — who was viewed as the top free agent available before he was tagged by Green Bay — knows that his value will never be higher than it is right now.
This is Adams' shot to get the biggest deal of his life. He can't afford to wait a year. Adams needs to get his big contract this offseason. And it would behoove the Packers to figure out a deal, that way they can structure Adams' contract in such a way that the team doesn't take a big cap hit in 2022 (that needs to happen for Green Bay to have some flexibility). Otherwise, Adams' entire $18.4 million salary in 2022 (the franchise tag for a wide receiver next season) will count against the salary cap.
In all actuality, Adams isn't concerned about who the Packers' quarterback will be in 2023. If it's Rodgers, he'll be thrilled. If it's not Rodgers, then Adams can simply force a trade. Someone will take on his salary. And Green Bay won't have any choice but to trade him, otherwise they'll be sitting on a valuable asset while receiving no compensation or production.
Green Bay in theory has the leverage because of the franchise tag, but it's actually Adams who controls his future.
By the way, let's not forget that Adams could follow through with his threat and sit out if the Packers don't give him a lucrative long-term deal. And if that happens, Rodgers could easily say "I'm retiring". Then the Packers would really be in a mess.
It's in Green Bay's best interest to handle this as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Featured image via Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
