Adam SchefterESPN Senior Writer4 minute reading
Surprising NFC team Dan Graziano could see trade for Davante Adams
Dan Graziano discusses why the 49ers could make a move for Davante Adams before the trade deadline.
The Las Vegas Raiders have informed teams around the NFL that they will not trade Davante Adams before the Oct. 31 deadline, regardless of how unhappy the star receiver is with the offense, league sources told ESPN.
The Raiders have made it clear to teams that they are not interested in moving on from Adams, although the All-Pro is open to a trade, according to sources. Adams signed a five-year deal with Las Vegas in 2022 and was slated to be one of the focal points of Raiders coach Josh McDaniels’ offense.
Adams publicly discussed his frustration with his role in the Raiders offense last week, fueling speculation throughout the NFL that Las Vegas could end up dealing him. Sources confirmed to ESPN that there were teams last season that absolutely considered trying to trade for Adams, though it’s uncertain if those teams reached out to the Raiders.
Other teams have already considered trading for Adams in recent days and weeks, according to sources.
Adams acknowledged his frustration Wednesday after being targeted a total of just nine times over the Raiders’ last two games. He said that despite Las Vegas recording wins in both games, he believed that the more the offense used him, the better chance the Raiders had for success.
“If it doesn’t look the way it’s supposed to look, then I’ll be frustrated if I’m not part of that plan,” Adams said. “I have the opportunity to go and change it and make it look like a much better picture out there, and if that doesn’t happen then I get frustrated. If Jakobi [Meyers] goes out and plays a monster game, or if the offense scores every five plays, like our first drive on the Bills, it is what it is.
“It’s not about me, but I’m one of the bigger pieces in why this offense has to go. And if I don’t get it, then obviously it’s not going to plan.”
Those comments marked the latest incident in which Adams shared feelings of apparent displeasure with the Raiders.
Discussing Las Vegas’ front office with The Ringer in May, Adams said, “We don’t see what we think is best for us right now,” before posting a photo the next day of him and Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler, arm and arm, with the words “The Man.”
Last season, after the Raiders benched Adams’ college teammate Derek Carr, he posted a message on Instagram that said, “The reason I’m a Raider.”
Adams, 30, has 39 receptions for 471 yards and three touchdowns over six games this season. The six-time Pro Bowler had 13 catches on 20 targets against the Steelers in Week 3 and eight catches on 13 carries the following week against the Chargers, but has just six receptions on nine targets over the last two games combined.
“Our job is to make sure our best players have an opportunity to impact the game, and they can only do what they can,” McDaniels said Wednesday. “So he’s going to do everything he can to help us win, I know that for sure. He’s got a great attitude and mindset. He’s as competitive as a guy I’ve ever been around and he should want the ball and he should want to contribute.”