Stay or Go: Should Jets bring Davante Adams back?

The Jets finally pulled the trigger on a long-rumored trade for wide receiver Davante Adams in the middle of the 2024 season, hoping that the reunion of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his favorite target would turn their season around.

Things didn’t pan out that way, as the Jets lost six of their first seven games with Adams in the lineup and fell out of playoff contention almost immediately.

While Adams was productive and remains under contract, the Jets need to weigh whether he should return in 2025 or if it would be better to move on without him.

So, should the Jets bring Adams back?

Why Adams should be back

Adams was productive during his 11 games with the Jets. He had 67 catches for over 850 yards and seven touchdowns, including back-to-back 100-yard games in the overtime loss to Miami and the win over Jacksonville. In the latter, he racked up an incredible 198 yards in the second half alone. Only a handful of players in NFL history have registered more receiving yards than that in one half.

In addition to showcasing his undeniable talent in terms of route-running, making tough catches, and generating yards after the catch, Adams’ effect on Rodgers was significant.

Rodgers was struggling when Adams arrived, and while it took them a few weeks to rediscover their chemistry, Rodgers definitely played his best football and posted much better numbers with Adams in the lineup.

Adams also had a positive impact on the culture of the team, acting as a mentor for some of the younger players and showing leadership as a vocal locker room presence to motivate his teammates.

Why Adams shouldn’t be back

The main barrier to Adams’ return in 2025 is the fact that he’s due to earn a base salary of over $35 million. None of this is guaranteed, so releasing him could drastically improve the Jets’ cap situation for the incoming general manager.

They could even feasibly trade him to recoup some of the draft capital they gave up to bring him in last season.

When the Jets traded for Adams, reuniting him and Rodgers was the major motivation for the move, so retaining him makes less sense if Rodgers doesn’t return next season. Adams will also turn 33 before the end of the season, so he can’t really be considered a long-term option if a younger quarterback is brought in.

One of the concerns with bringing Adams in was the impact it might have on Garrett Wilson’s touches. While Wilson had another terrific season, there were some games when he wasn’t targeted enough, and this clearly frustrated him at times.

Some reports have even suggested Wilson might request a trade if it’s not clear whether he’ll be the number one option in the passing game.

Verdict

The consensus seems to be that Adams’ future is tied to that of Rodgers. If Rodgers returns, after Adams was essential to his improved play down the stretch, it would make sense for Adams to return. The team would likely explore the possibility of contract restructures for each of them.

If Rodgers leaves for another team, many expect him and Adams to be a package deal. However, if Rodgers ends up with a team that can’t fit them both under the salary cap, or retires, then Adams has indicated he would be open to remaining in New York.

The less likely scenario is that Rodgers stays but Adams leaves. This is not impossible if the new front office sees the cap savings tied to releasing Adams as the best way to make the cost of retaining Rodgers manageable. The effect on Wilson’s development is also likely to be a key consideration.`