Graney: Raiders’ return for Davante Adams more than solid
Davante Adams wanted out. The Raiders obliged.
And made out well in trading him to the Jets.
It had come to the point of no return for Adams and the Raiders. The star wide receiver asked for a trade two weeks ago and his wish was granted Tuesday.
You can make the argument it should have happened sooner. That the team should have attempted a rebuild some time ago. It didn’t. Maybe this begins one now.
In return for Adams, the Raiders received a 2025 conditional third-round pick that could be converted to a second-rounder if he reaches certain benchmarks.
The Jets also picked up the remainder of Adams’ contract.
It’s a more than solid trade for the Raiders.
A packaged deal?
Think about it: The Jets are 2-4 and certainly don’t appear to be an AFC contender. No matter how well Adams plays for them going forward, that third-round pick could be an enticing card to play in a packaged deal to move up in the NFL draft.
That kind of swing might be a necessity to land a franchise quarterback. To upgrade the one position the Raiders need help at the most right now.
Look. This was also a big distraction in the locker room. Some players admitted as much. Adams’ unhappiness hasn’t directly led to two straight losses — the Raiders have fallen to the Broncos and Steelers since his desire for a move became public — but it certainly didn’t do the the team any favors.
It led to players having to answer questions they didn’t want to. Led to a narrative a struggling team didn’t need.
The Raiders are the last side that can afford any lack of focus when preparing for Sundays. They’re just not good enough to overcome it.
And yet coach Antonio Pierce said the entire saga didn’t affect much of anything in terms of wins and losses.
“No, I think it’s just production,” Pierce said. “Guys got to produce. We still got 11 guys out there. Still got some good football players. … Look, some of these guys, to their credit, were just on the practice squad and (we’re) getting them opportunities and you got to make the most of it. You always want those opportunities. We got to be detailed. And when they come, you make the most of them.”
Sorry. All the noise played a part. Now, it’s over. Adams is gone.
His departure to the Jets might have played a part in another trade Tuesday. The Bills sent third- and seventh-round picks to the Browns for wide receiver Amari Cooper and a sixth-round selection. You figure Buffalo was interested in Adams first.
The Bills weren’t the only ones. Others undoubtedly at least inquired about him. But they didn’t have Aaron Rodgers (pulling the strings) at quarterback.
The Raiders might have sought a second-round pick — and still might receive one if Adams is named a first- or second-team All-Pro this season or is on the Jets’ active roster for the AFC title game or Super Bowl — but they probably got the best deal out there.
Odds certainly favor Adams not reaching any of those incentives, so a third-rounder is what to expect. And the Raiders can use it in different ways.
Brady’s influence
This, all on a day NFL owners unanimously approved Tom Brady’s purchase of a minority ownership stake in the Raiders.
Brady, according to sources, will have a large role in the direction of the franchise when it comes to the football side of things. This is one of those times when I suspect he would have a strong voice in the future.
He won’t do much better than the Raiders have in dealing Adams.
Should have happened sooner, but it didn’t.
In the end, however, the team rid itself of a player who didn’t want to be here and secured a valuable asset.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. He can be heard on “The Press Box,” ESPN Radio 100.9 FM and 1100 AM, from 7 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Follow @edgraney on X.