The LA Chargers are in need of wide receiver help this offseason with several big names on the market. Those who are not even on the market yet are already yearning to join the Chargers, too, as star wideout Davante Adams is reportedly intrigued by a return to the West Coast with the Bolts specifically mentioned.
It would be a major surprise if Adams returned to New York next season. The New York Jets have reportedly decided to move on from Aaron Rodgers this offseason, which also foreshadows the team moving on from Adams.
Adams in powder blue has become a dream many Chargers fans want to turn into a reality this offseason. If this is going to happen, though, a very specific checkpoint must be hit for the Chargers to actually be interested.
Chargers should only pursue Davante Adams if he is cut by the Jets
The only way Adams makes sense for the Chargers this offseason is if the Jets cut him to save salary. Before doing so, the Jets are going to try their best to trade Adams to get something out of him. The Chargers should not bite.
It does not matter if there are other interested teams in Adams who are willing to make a trade. If that is the case, the Chargers should simply bow out of the Adams sweepstakes and pursue a different star receiver this offseason. There is no world in which the Bolts should trade for the wideout.
Adams carries a $38.25 million cap hit next season with most of that coming out of his base salary. As a result, the team trading for Adams would be responsible for taking on the brunt of his cap hit moving forward.
Adams has a base salary of $35.64 million in each of the next two seasons. Adams' new team would be responsible for that base salary. While some restructuring is possible considering the deal is not fully guaranteed, his new team would still take the brunt of that payment.
Thankfully, there is no financial difference for the Jets either way. New York frees up $29.8 million in cap space regardless of if it's via trade or via cutting Adams. So as long as another team doesn't swoop in with an offer, Adams should be well on his way to being cut.
If not, the Chargers are better off pursuing other options. There is no world in which the Chargers should be paying $30 million for a receiver on the wrong side of 30.