Days after Aaron Rodgers officially signed with the Packers, one of his favorite passing targets left the team.
On Thursday, US time, according to ESPN reporters, Adams will be traded to the Raiders in exchange for the opponent’s first- and second-round picks. The Packers currently have four second-round draft picks: No. 22, No. 28, No. 53, and No. 59.
Adams will sign a five-year contract with the Raiders, with an annual salary of $28.5 million. According to reports, Rodgers had previously been aware of Adams’ intention to leave the team. Even if the Packers offer a similar contract to the Raiders, Adams would prefer to play elsewhere.
Adams will be reunited with college teammate, quarterback Derek Carr. The Packers don’t need to worry about the $20.14 million franchise tag contract, but they need to think about how to bolster their wide receiver lineup. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown’s contracts both ended after last season. St. Brown had signed with the Bears on Thursday.
Adams set the Packers’ single-season reception records (123) and advancing yards (1,553) last season. He is also the third player in league history to have at least 650 catches for at least 8,000 yards and at least 70 touchdowns in the first eight years of his career. The other two are Marvin Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald.