3 reasons why Jets will cut Davante Adams this offseason
The New York Jets are looking to cut Davante Adams after Aaron Rodgers to save additional salary cap money and possibly sign new players to kick start the Aaron Glenn era.
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Jets set to release Davante Adams (Image via IMAGO)
With Aaron Rodgers out the door, the New York Jets may also cut Davante Adams. The veteran wide receiver joined the Jets to play alongside his former Green Bay Packers teammate, but now the situation is very different from when he made the switch from the Las Vegas Raiders last season.
Adams signed a three-year contract worth $38.3 million to play with Rodgers. However, ever since the Jets appointed former player and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, people associated with Rodgers are being let go one by one.
It means WR Allen Lazard, who played with Rodgers in Green Bay, might be another player whose days are numbered as well.
I came here [Jets] with the hopes that I wouldn’t have to find a new home, so it’s kind of bittersweet, I guess. It’s cool to be able to control where you go, but I’ve done that [while] still under contract.
Davante Adams said as per ESPN’s Rich Cimini
The Jets are looking to cut down on the age of their offense
If Rodgers stayed with the Jets, he would have been 42 by the time the 2025 season begins. Similar to Rodgers, Adams will be 32 in December, and even though he is still an elite receiver, around that age most guys in his position start to lose pace.
By releasing both Adams and Lazard (29), the average of the Jets offense will witness a drastic decrease. Garrett Wilson, Brandon Smith, Pokey Wilson, and Malachi Corley are all below 26 and are entering their peak years.
Adams’ absence will benefit Wilson. Even though he had a career-best 101 receptions for 1104 yards and 7 touchdowns, most of his catches were of lesser risk compared to Adams. After Adams joined the Jets, Rodgers targeted the 3x All-Pro more than Wilson, infuriating the third-year wideout.
Players like Corley, Smith, and Pokey Wilson will be able to see the ball more in the new season.
Davante Adams’ release will free up additional salary cap money for the Jets
Aaron Rodgers was slated to earn around $35 million while carrying a cap hit of $23.5 million and a dead cap value of $49 million. The Jets accepted the cap hit and agreed to move on regardless. If they designate him to be before the June 1 release, then the Jets have to take on the entire cap hit. The Post June 1 release makes it a $19 million cap hit, saving the Jets around an additional $9.5 million.
The Jets can save even more by cutting Adams.
Adams indicated at the end of the season that his future with the team was tied to Rodgers. He’s under contract for two more years, but he won’t have to request his release. It will happen because his 2025 cap charge is prohibitive—$38.3 million, none of it guaranteed. The only way to stay is to renegotiate the deal, and he probably prefers to be released, allowing him to test free agency for the first time.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini recently wrote
The Jets would save an additional $29 million by cutting Davante Adams. With several contract extensions—Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, and DJ Reed—on the horizon, it won’t hurt to have additional funds.
Less bulletin board material for the New York media
Rodgers’ time in the Big Apple was surrounded by failed promises compared to wins on the football pitch. Owner Woody Johnson was growing tired of the off-the-field shenanigans.
From leaked locker room news’ to Rodgers’ side gig on the Pat McAfee Show and even a possible run for vice president, made Johnson rue his choice of bringing the Super Bowl winner to the Gange Green in hopes of changing the culture. Instead, the rebuild process got pushed back to possibly a few more years.
The signing of Adams created equal amounts of drama, with the New York media finding bulletin board material each day. Appointing Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey was a sign that Johnson was done with the Rodgers cabal.
Now, the Jets can focus on rebuilding and possibly signing a new quarterback—maybe bring back Sam Darnold for a second stint, but he will cost at least $4 million a year. A cheaper option would be giving Justin Fields one year and taking it from there.
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Ishan Misra
(3186 Articles Published)