Even though Davante Adams has only played two years of his five-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, the all-pro wide receiver could be up for a sensational trade with the San Francisco 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk . Adams’ increasing frustration with the Raiders is no longer a secret.
The New York Jets tried to take advantage of the situation last season, hoping to pair him up with Aaron Rodgers . Their pursuit may have failed back then, but it’s still on and caught steam recently with Rodgers publically announcing his desire to play with Adams.
As for the Raiders, they don’t have any reason to let go of the 6 times Pro Bowler. Apart from losing a top receiver, they will also lose a locker room leader. However, developments elsewhere may force them to reconsider their stand. According to ‘People’s NFL insider’ Rickey, the Raiders could initiate a trade to land Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers while Davante Adams goes the other way.
The [Las Vegas] Raiders are a team interested in trading for Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk knows Antonio Pierce from ASU. Here’s the fun part: the Raiders would send Davante Adams to the Niners in any trade. Davante has no real money on his deal after this season . Rickey wrote on X
Rickey gave an interesting point of view, which was a topic of discussion in the past. During the NFL Draft, reports arose that the 49ers could set either Deebo Samuel or Aiyuk for a trade. Eventually, nothing materialized.
Two teams were being eyed for the trade, one of them being the Washington Commanders and the other being the Raiders; teams where Aiyuk has connections.
Does trading Brandon Aiyuk for Davante Adams make sense?
As Ricky pointed out, Aiyuk has a direct connection with Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce . From 2018 to 2019, Pierce was the linebackers coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils, Aiyuk’s college team. Additionally, the trade rumors intensified back then because former Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels was linked to the Vegas franchise before the Commanders signed him second overall.
The situation for Davante Adams and Brandon Aiyuk is similar because they want to play with people they know, but Aiyuk first and foremost wants money worthy of two consecutive 1000-yard receiving seasons and the current receiver market.
The 49ers don’t have the expected $30 million+ annual amount to give Aiyuk, so trading him away does make sense. The addition of Rickey Pearsall and the extension of Jauan Jennings hinted that they were preparing for a long battle.
Grant Cohn, a 49ers writer for Sports Illustrated, claimed it’s not the worst idea.
If the 49ers can’t get [Brandon] Aiyuk to agree to an extension, trading him for a three-time [All-Pro] wide receiver [Davante Adams] who [actually] wants to play for the 49ers would seem like the best option. Forcing Aiyuk to stay on the 49ers and play out his fifth-year option could hurt the morale of a team that’s already reeling from its second Super Bowl loss. Grant Cohn wrote
In theory, Aiyuk and Adams have similar build stature and playing styles. Yet most football fans wouldn’t argue Adams is the better receiver, but he will also be 32 when the new season hits December.
