The NY Jets remain deeply involved in trade talks centered around Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams. Despite the Raiders' last-minute attempt to convince teams otherwise, the overwhelming odds are that Adams will be traded.
We still don't know which team will eventually trade for the six-time Pro Bowler. The Jets are seen as a likely landing spot, but other teams such as the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills remain in the mix.
The Raiders, however, want teams to believe there's a chance Adams isn't traded. At least, that's what they're attempting to leak to reporters.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday night that the Raiders could ultimately opt against trading Adams if they don't receive the offer they're looking for. That report has been met with a collective eye roll from the NFL world.
This is the most straightforward example of a team leaking a report in a desperate attempt to secure any sort of leverage. It's hard to believe the Raiders won't trade Adams at this point — not after everything that has gone down.
The Raiders have been steadfast in their stance to receive a second-round pick in return for their star wide receiver. They also don't want to eat any of Adams' remaining salary for the 2024 season.
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, neither of those things seems likely to happen. Reports suggest no team is interested in trading a second-round pick for Adams, and most of the interested teams, outside of the Jets, would not even be able to make the trade without the Raiders eating some of Adams' contract.
The Raiders are doing their best to convince teams that trading Adams isn't an option in an attempt to force teams to up their bids in the final hour. It's likely not going to work.
Adams has made it clear that he does not intend to play another snap for the Raiders. The Raiders aren't exactly in contender mode and are rotating between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell at quarterback.
There would be no logical reason for the Raiders to keep Adams at this stage. Every team in the NFL is well aware of that fact, so despite the team's desperate attempts to secure leverage, it probably isn't going to matter.
Davante Adams is going to be traded. It might not be for the Jets, but he will be traded. You can count on that.
