Following Davante Adams' trade request from the Las Vegas Raiders, trade negotiations for the star wide receiver are expected to intensify over the next week. The New York Jets have been speculated as one of the favorites for Adams in a trade. Per Ian Rapoport, New York is his preferred destination.
In theory, the Jets could move around the money to simply absorb Adams into their cap space. However, they could also try to dangle one of their wideouts as an asset.
ESPN's Adam Schefter first mentioned former LA Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams as a player who could be on the move in the framework of an Adams deal.
In the event they pursue a trade for Davante Adams, the Jets assets include:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2024
🏈Two 2025 third-round picks.
🏈Two 2025 sixth-round picks.
🏈WR Mike Williams, whom Raiders GM Tom Telesco drafted and then extended during his time as the Chargers GM.
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It would make sense that former Chargers GM Tom Telesco could be interested in Williams as a trade chip as Schefter phrased it. But, an alternative option for the Jets could be trading for Adams while shipping Williams to another team. In his article detailing the Chiefs' plans in the wake of Rashee Rice's injury, Schefter mentions them as a team that could be interested in the Jets' receivers:
"The Chiefs also could reach out to the Jets if New York lands Davante Adams, inquiring whether New York would have any interest in moving one of its other wide receivers, according to league sources," Schefter wrote.
Chiefs and Raiders tied to former Chargers WR Mike Williams
Williams signed a one -year deal worth up to $15 million with the Jets this past offseason after he was released by the Chargers. However, his contract only contains $8.3 million guaranteed. $3.3 million million of that guaranteed money was paid out as a signing bonus.
The Jets potentially shipping off Williams makes sense in and of itself. They'd save some money while more easily absorbing the Adams contract. Williams makes for a decent trade chip as an expiring contract with little guaranteed money remaining on his deal this season.
The Jets trading Williams probably directly depends on the result of the Adams trade. But assuming Adams is reunited with former teammate Aaron Rodgers, Chargers fans could see one of their favorite former receivers in Chiefs' red or Raiders' black.
Past the Chargers having to potentially go against one of their franchises' best receivers of the last decade, a Williams trade could shore up the Chiefs nicely in particular. Their offense has partially struggled in the first quarter of the season due to the lack of a bonafide X-receiver. Even if it doesn't end up being Williams specifically, it seems as though Kansas City will be active at the deadline.
The Chargers will face the Chiefs again in Week 14 on Sunday Night Football. They'll head to Las Vegas in Week 18. In either game, their old friend Mike Williams could be on the other side as division foe.