When the Green Bay Packers agreed to terms with quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week, there was optimism that this would pave the way for a deal for his favorite wide receiver target: Davante Adams.
Several days in, it appears that the positivity was misguided.
Adams is coming off a year where he recorded career-highs with 123 catches and 1,553 receiving yards.
The 29-year-old wants a contract that reflects what he feels he is at this point: the NFL’s top wide receiver.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Packers have been unwilling to give Adams what he wants.
The latest from @RapSheet and me on Davante Adams, who has informed the #Packers he won’t play on the franchise tag amidst fundamental differences on a long-term deal. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kf6YeJXZxC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
“Their most recent offer to Davante Adams would make him easily the NFL’s highest-paid receiver ever on a traditional extension,” Pelissero reported.
“But you still have fundamental difference in terms of what this contract should look like. In terms of the structure, the Packers have a very specific structure they usually use. And in terms of length. If you’re Davante Adams, a five-year extension would eat up the remainder of your prime. So there’s still a lot to figure out, and this could potentially take a while.”
Green Bay placed the franchise tag on Adams after agreeing to an extension with Rodgers as a preliminary step in keeping the pair together next year.
But that doesn’t work for Adams. In fact, he responded by giving the Packers two options: pay me properly or I will not play under the franchise tag.
Davante Adams isn’t obligated to attend #Packers minicamp, training camp or anything else until he signs his franchise tender. He could show up Week 1 and still collect the full $20,226,600. So this could take a while.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
If Green Bay determines that an agreement between them and Adams is unlikely, then there are four teams who desperately want him.
It will also be interesting to see how Adams’ relationship with Rodgers factors into things.
Paul Pierce is at it again. https://t.co/UqUOOIOUIn
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 16, 2022
In any case, the Packers have a lot of work to do. Re-signing Rodgers was a great move, but Adams is a big reason why he is the two-time reigning league MVP.
If Adams doesn’t play or forces a trade, it’ll prove to be a massive blow to Green Bay’s Super Bowl aspirations.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
