With Davante Adams’ departure from the Las Vegas Raiders all but guaranteed, the New Orleans Saints have emerged as a prime landing spot for the All-Pro wide receiver.
Adams, who missed Week 4 due to a hamstring injury, requested a trade after the Raiders’ underwhelming start to the season.
Set to miss Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos with an alleged hamstring injury, there’s a solid chance Adams has played his final down in Silver and Black.
Adams, a six-time Pro Bowler, has reportedly expressed interest in reuniting with a quarterback he’s comfortable with – putting the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets and Derek Carr’s New Orleans Saints high on his list of preferred destinations.
While most view the Jets as the favorites to land Adams, some close to the situation have made it clear the Saints can’t be counted out.
Adams is extremely close friends with Saints quarterback Derek Carr. While their reunion in Vegas ended in disaster, they could get another chance to make it work.
Interestingly, it’s not just his familiarity with Carr that ties Adams to the Saints.
Former NFL wide receiver and Adams’ former Green Bay Packers teammate, James Jones, recently spoke about the wideout’s deeper connection to the Saints that goes well beyond just Carr.
“When I was training, Davante Adams was still in high school. Before Fresno State he used to come out there and train with myself and Keith Williams. Keith Williams recruited him to Fresno State, coached him at Fresno State. He still, every single offseason, wherever Keith Williams was, when he wasn’t in the National Football League, he’d still go and train with Keith Williams,” Jones said.
“Now Keith Williams is at the Saints. His old quarterback from Fresno State, from the Raiders is at the Saints. Really good chemistry, I think the Saints would be the perfect fit. Like I said before I do not think the Saints are far off,” Jones said on “The Facility.”
Adams’ ties to both Carr and Williams make New Orleans a logical destination, especially for a team looking to regain momentum after a promising start to the season.
The Saints opened strong, scoring over 44 points in their first two games, nearly setting an NFL scoring record.
However, back-to-back losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons have cooled their hot streak, with the offense managing just 12 and 24 points, respectively.
It’s clear the Saints are much stronger contenders that what some critics thought heading into the season.
It should be noted that New Orleans’ salary cap situation is a bit of a mess. Other teams, such as the Jets, have much more financial flexibility. Having said that, the Saints are well known to be quite creative with the cap.
For the Raiders, trading Adams would signal a broader rebuild.
Vegas is navigating a brutal AFC West, and with Pierce hinting at a potential quarterback change – moving from Gardner Minshew to rookie Aidan O’Connell – the future feels uncertain.
If the Raiders are open to the idea of parting ways with their unhappy star receiver, Adams could bring significant value in return.
What are your thoughts on the situation? … Do you view the Saints or the Jets as the most likely landing spot for Adams???