The New York Jets have already declared their intention to move on from Aaron Rodgers, and it appears they have begun the process of doing the same with Rodgers’ partner in crime.
According to a report shared by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday, the Jets “are now taking calls on star WR Davante Adams.” Rapoport says the Jets are open to trading Adams prior to the start of the new league year, which is March 12. This would allow teams to get out in front of acquiring Adams before the Jets can release him and make him a free agent.
Because Adams has no guaranteed money remaining on his deal, teams may call the Jets’ bluff and wait for the chance to sign him in free agency. While Adams has a $38.34 million cap number for 2025, the Jets can release him to clear $29.98 million of that, reducing his cap hit to $8.36 million. They can also release him with a post-June 1 designation to spread his cap hit between $2.09 million in 2025 and $6.27 million in 2026.
These options minimize the Jets’ leverage to trade Adams, since teams know they will probably just go ahead and release him anyway. However, it is worthwhile for New York to test the waters. If there is high demand for Adams, the Jets might be able to lure a team into giving something up for him to secure his services before the Jets release him.
Still, the Aaron Rodgers of it all could limit Adams’ trade market. Adams may not want to sign with a team until he knows where (or if) Rodgers is playing. If a team trades for Adams, can they be certain he would restructure his deal to stay with them if they do not also sign Rodgers?
The Jets are doing their due diligence, but a release of Adams remains the likeliest outcome of this situation.
