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The Las Vegas Raiders shipped off superstar wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets on Tuesday, receiving a conditional third-round pick that can turn into a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Adams requested a trade out of Las Vegas on October 1st after the Raiders' Week 4 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Adams' departure from Las Vegas was inevitable, as the three-time All Pro was frustrated with the Raiders' quarterback situation and losing ways, something we saw during the "Receiver" series on Netflix.
The former Packer will now receive a fresh start in East Rutherford, reuniting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and forming a formidable wide receiver duo with Garrett Wilson.
Adams had his first media availability with the Jets on Wednesday and detailed his exit from Las Vegas. The 31-year-old made some comments that will only make Raider Nation more upset about his decision to leave the Raiders.
According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Adams said he had a "helpless feeling" with the Raiders. Adams also claimed he didn't quit on the team, per Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News, even though that's essentially what he did.
"All the fans and everybody who's associated with the Raiders, they see trade demand and they think he just wants out and he is quitting on the team. I want to feel like I can impact the game every time I touch the field. So just having the confidence that I'll be able to make some plays and change the game versus getting out on the field and feeling like we need too many things to go right in order to be successful. When I say me, I don't mean me going out having an All-Pro year every time that comes with consistency. Sometimes, you gotta make it easier and get to a situation where it allows you to be yourself."
"It was time for a change," Adams added. "We're in a better place, the Raiders are in a better place.”
Adams' comments on his Raiders tenure are extremely demoralizing. Las Vegas failed to put one of the most dominant players in the NFL in comfortable and impactful situations, and it eventually led to a tumultuous and disappointing conclusion.
Las Vegas' incompetency from top to bottom is destroying the franchise, as Antonio Pierce and his staff have been subpar, most of the players have been underwhelming, and controlling owner Mark Davis is overseeing it all.
A third consecutive losing season could finally instill some urgency in turning things around in Las Vegas, but we'll have to wait and see.
