When Aaron Rodgers announced he was returning to the Green Bay Packers, it was generally assumed that his presence would lead to star receiver Davante Adams likewise looking to stick around. The two have become one of the best quarterback-receiver combos in the league, with Adams hauling in 238 catches for over 2,900 yards and 29 touchdowns in the past two seasons alone.
However, word emerged on Thursday night that stunned the NFL world, as Green Bay is reportedly sending Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for a first round pick and more — with the Raiders giving Adams a new contract to make him the league’s highest paid wide receiver.
Blockbuster: Packers are trading Pro-Bowl WR Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for two prime 2022 picks, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2022
Sources: The #Raiders are in the final stages of trading for #Packers star WR Davante Adams, who receives a new contract that makes him the highest paid WR in the NFL. A blockbuster.
Las Vegas sends back a 1st round pick, potentially more picks and a player.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2022
According to Ian Rapoport, Adams’ new deal will pay him just over $141 million across five years — although we still are waiting on the most important number, which is the fully guaranteed money.
Davante Adams get a new contract worth $141.25M over 5 years, source say. He gets an average of $28.25 average. https://t.co/YTAxHov0Rj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2022
It’s just the latest massive deal in an AFC West arms race for the ages, as every team has been taking massive swings in an effort to catch up with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders have added Adams and star pass rusher Chandler Jones, while the Broncos made a splash trading for Russell Wilson and later signing Randy Gregory, and the Chargers have bolstered their defense by trading for Khalil Mack and signing JC Jackson in free agency.
It has truly been one of the wildest offseasons from one division we’ve ever seen, and each AFC West showdown figures to be a prize-fight worthy atmosphere in 2022.