Davante Adams has green on his mind.
The Raiders’ star receiver hopes to land with the Jets after making a trade request, according to NFL Network, while competing teams believe he is “engineering” a trade to Gang Green that would reunite him with his former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, according to Sports Illustrated.
Adams, though, has not demanded he land with the Jets despite his preference and is open to playing for other teams, according to NFL Network.
The Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Bills, Cowboys and “perhaps” the 49ers are teams that have talked to the Raiders or are destinations that Adams would approve of for his next team, per the report.
The Raiders plan to deal Adams to the highest bidder and a trade, if one should happen, would not come until next week at the earliest, according to NFL Network.
No deal is close to fruition as of Thursday morning, per the report.
These reports paint the picture of the Jets being the team to beat in the Adams sweepstakes and the betting markets have established Robert Saleh’s squad as the betting favorite.
The Saints had originally been listed by ESPN as co-frontrunners alongside the Jets due to Adams’ relationship with quarterback Derek Carr, but the Jets (2-2), at least on paper, are more serious Super Bowl contenders and perhaps are feeling more urgency to win now after years of futility.
The Raiders are asking for at least one second-round pick in a deal, per NFL Network, and Adams would have to rework his contract to facilitate any trade.
The Jets have the needed cap space to welcome Adams into the fold.
While adding Adams would upgrade a strong roster, they seemingly have other areas that require more attention than their receiver room.
The Jets already are having issues getting the ball to Garrett Wilson and they invested in veterans Allen Lazard and Mike Williams to complement Wilson.
Rodgers, though, is a huge fan of Adams from their time together in Green Bay and the Jets have made plenty of moves to make the Super Bowl champion quarterback happy.
Adams is currently nursing a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the Raiders’ win over the Browns last week and seemingly will have him inactive again in Week 5 against the Broncos.
He will play for the Raiders if healthy and still on the roster, per NFL Network.
The Jets’ level of desperation may be affected by their Week 5 showing in London against former quarterback Sam Darnold and the undefeated Vikings.
They are 2.5-point underdogs for the Sunday morning tilt.
