Adams: Rodgers’ uncertain future helped precipitate move to Raiders

We might never know how things would have worked out had those long conversations between then-Packers wide receiver Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers resulted in more days in Green Bay.

But one thing was clear after Adams broke down the lengthy talks he shared with Rodgers in the weeks leading up to his trade to the Raiders: Adams never got clarity on how long Rodgers would remain in Green Bay.

With that in mind, Adams opted to push for a move to the Raiders, where he would be reunited with Derek Carr, his former teammate at Fresno State and a quarterback he has faith in.

Adams said Thursday that staying in Green Bay would have meant taking a leap of faith on Rodgers. And that represented too big of a jump with no guarantee of a safe landing.

“Where I’m at in my career, and this isn’t a shot at any other quarterbacks in Green Bay — I love Jordan Love — but I’ve got aspirations of doing really, really big things and being remembered,” Adams said Thursday at the conclusion of Raiders minicamp. “It wasn’t really a point in my career I was willing to sacrifice Aaron not being there after a year or two.”

Credit Rodgers for his honesty — even if it meant losing Adams to another team and weakening his team offensively. Rodgers could have told Adams whatever he needed to keep one of the best wide receivers alongside him in Green Bay. Instead, the future Hall of Fame quarterback opted to be transparent.

“We talked throughout the whole process,” Adams said. “He was aware of where I stood, and I was aware of where he stood. He respected that, and he understood that.”

That ultimately became the catalyst for Adams to essentially demand a trade to the Raiders. The setup could not be more perfect. Adams grew up rooting for the Raiders as a Bay Area kid in Palo Alto, so playing for them checked a box he’s been longing to mark off.

“Playing for the team you grew up loving, it’s really hard to beat that,” Adams said.

Meanwhile, playing with Carr addressed another long-time dream while guaranteeing Adams will be partnering with a quarterback capable of lifting Adams to new heights — from an individual and team perspective.

“We both are so committed and obsessive over our craft,” Adams said.

The move to Las Vegas also means he is closer to his California roots and family and friends. Playing in Green Bay left him detached from his beloved West Coast, and it meant not being able to play in front of his grandparents for eight years.

That will all change in Las Vegas. Expect the Adams Family to be well represented at Allegiant Stadium.

“Now I can pack the suite out with family and kind of do that whole thing,” he said.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.