Davante Adams is the biggest wide receiver name to watch this offseason and the LA Chargers have a massive need at wide receiver. With Adams reportedly intrigued by playing in California, he and the Chargers may be a match made in heaven.
Adams is still under contract with the New York Jets but he will not be with the team in 2025. The Jets have already committed to moving on from Aaron Rodgers and Adams will be quickly behind him with his bloated cap hit.
In fact, Adams took a major step towards joining the Chargers over the weekend, as it was reported the Jets are officially shopping Adams on the trade market. This is the first time it has been officially reported that the Jets are taking calls for the superstar wideout.
Davante Adams inches closer to Chargers with the Jets taking trade calls
General manager Joe Hortiz can now have official conversations with the Jets to get Adams to Los Angeles. However, those conversations should just be preliminary and should not lead to an actual move.
Although the Chargers have cap space, Adams' cap hit is simply too much with him on the wrong side of 30. Ian Rapoport, who reported the Jets trade news, also said that if New York can't move off his $38.1 million cap hit via trade that the team would release him from his contract.
That is the most likely outcome as the Jets will struggle to find a trade suitor for Adams at that price. Deebo Samuel hardly warranted a fifth-round pick from the Washington Commanders and his cap hit was far less. Adams likely won't generate much trade interest.
This opens the door for Adams to join the team of his choosing, with the Chargers among the frontrunners. While Adams may end up just following Aaron Rodgers wherever he goes, the Chargers are the best non-Rodgers option for him.
The Bolts are the best California team for Adams' services. The Los Angeles Rams are trying to get rid of their wideout over 30, Cooper Kupp, and have limited resources with other areas of need to address.
San Francisco just traded Samuel and is not in a position to add another wideout. They shouldn't be in the Adams market.
That leaves the Chargers, who can offer Adams a fair-market value after his release that would hopefully fall in the $15-20 million per-year range. The Chargers have a star quarterback, check the California box, and are set up perfectly for Adams to succeed with Ladd McConkey as his running mate in the slot.
Anything can happen, but all signs are pointing to the Chargers being the favorite for Adams this offseason. And with Adams officially hitting the trade block, he is one step closer to LA.