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The Davante Adams era in Las Vegas appears to be nearing its end after an NFL Network report emerged Tuesday stating that the three-time first-team All-Pro told the Raiders that he prefers to be traded.
Naturally, teams should be interested, and the Cleveland Browns could very well be in the mix.
On Tuesday evening, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com and the Cleveland Plain Dealer stated that “the Browns will likely inquire about Raiders receiver Davante Adams now that he’s requested a trade.”
That news comes amid speculation that Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper could be made available with Cleveland struggling at 1-3 and seeming unlikely to mount a serious push for the playoffs. Namely, ESPN’s Adam Schefter highlighted Cooper as a potential trade target for the Kansas City Chiefs (h/t Awful Announcing’s Ben Axelrod).
Ultimately, the Browns don’t seem like the most likely destination for Adams, given the team’s record, its 2024 prospects and the money owed to him. Cabot wrote the following:
“Would it make sense for the Browns to acquire Adams? They’re 1-3 and will miss the playoffs if they don’t turn it around quickly. As it stands, they probably need to go 9-4 the rest of the way for a legitimate shot. Would Adams be enough to get them back on track? He’s owed $13.5 million of his $17.5 million salary and bonuses this season, and is under contract at $35.6 million next year and $36.6 million in 2026, but with no guaranteed money in those two final years. The Browns would have to re-do the contract, and it would cost a hefty sum, with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson topping the market at $35 million a year.”
Adams is currently out with a hamstring injury that’s being called a “week-to-week” ailment. It’s conceivable that he’s played his last down with the Raiders as the Nov. 5 trade deadline sits five weeks away. Teams are already checking in on him, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
Sources: Teams have called the <a href=” today, and Las Vegas has also made calls regarding a potential Davante Adams trade. <br><br>I’m told these were considered “routine check-ins” on a developing situation. But this is usually how it all starts… <a href=”https://t.co/gzftQ0EWeG”>https://t.co/gzftQ0EWeG</a>
There are some obvious fits for Adams on the surface.
The New York Jets would mark a reunion with his ex-teammate in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers. The two were successful in Green Bay and could easily reignite that in New York, which has struggled on offense through four games (21st in scoring).
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who were deep into talks with the San Francisco 49ers to trade for wideout Brandon Aiyuk before they fell apart, could be another option. Pittsburgh is off to a 3-1 start and could use another wideout opposite George Pickens to create a solid one-two punch there.
Other teams could logically be in the mix too, such as the Washington Commanders (also starting well at 3-1, could look for another receiver alongside Terry McLaurin) and the Kansas City Chiefs (due to injuries to Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown).
It appears Cleveland could at least look into Adams, although the competition for him could be quite fierce, with other teams seemingly offering better fits at this time.