One of the league’s most talented wide receivers could potentially be playing for a new team soon.
Davante Adams is currently in his third season with the Raiders, but as the team continues to enter a new era under head coach Antonio Pierce, the 31-year-old receiver’s future in Las Vegas is in question.
While any Adams trade talk was pure speculation before Monday, Pierce added fuel to the speculation with his latest like on Instagram.
Here’s what to know about the post that Pierce liked regarding Adams’ future in Las Vegas, how Adams has fared over his three seasons with the Raiders, and potential destinations for the receiver if he’s traded this season.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
What post did Antonio Pierce like about Davante Adams on Instagram?
Sports Illustrated’s Instagram account recently posted a photo that included an X post detailing trade speculation from senior fantasy analyst Michael Fabiano. The post said, “Don’t be surprised if Davante Adams has already played his last snap with the Raiders.”
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: HC Antonio Pierce liked an IG post speculating that Davante Adams has played his last snap with the #Raiders.
🤔
(h/t @RaidersAQ) pic.twitter.com/R7mbFHC29O
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 30, 2024
Pierce, who took over as interim head coach for Las Vegas in 2023 after Josh McDaniels was fired, is in his first season owning the official head coach title with the Raiders. The reason he liked the Instagram post is unknown. While it could be just to troll fans and media, it only added to speculation that Adams could depart from the Raiders sometime soon.
Adams did not play against the Browns in Week 4 due to a hamstring injury he sustained in practice. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Adams is considered “week-to-week,” but hamstring issues are tough to deal with for a wide receiver.
While Adams, a veteran still capable of top-tier production, doesn’t seemingly fit the timeline of a Raiders team likely to undergo more of a youth movement over the coming seasons, there haven’t been any official reports that he could be traded this season. In fact, Schefter joined “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday and said he doesn’t foresee the Raiders trading Adams “as of right now.”
“As of right now I don’t see the Raiders trading Davante Adams..
The Raiders got multiple inquiries this summer and they didn’t even entertain the conversation”@AdamSchefter #PMSLive #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/vPe2Rhig7y
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 30, 2024
Pierce’s Instagram like suggesting Adams won’t play another game for Las Vegas will be something he’ll be asked about soon to provide context, so Adams’ status with Las Vegas is worth keeping an eye on as NFL trade season approaches.
Davante Adams Raiders stats
Below is a look at Adams’ year-by-year stats through three seasons with Las Vegas, including his play in 2024 so far. He spent eight years with the Packers before joining the Raiders.
| Season | Games | Receptions | Rec. yards | TDs | AVG |
| 2022 | 17 | 100 | 1,516 | 14 | 15.2 |
| 2023 | 17 | 103 | 1,144 | 8 | 11.1 |
| 2024 | 3 | 18 | 209 | 1 | 11.6 |
MORE: Ranking the five best Rashee Rice replacements for the Chiefs
Potential trade destinations for Davante Adams
If Pierce’s Instagram like winds up being early confirmation that the speculation surrounding Adams being traded is true, there’s sure to be a number of teams interested in the receiver.
With early-season injuries to both Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice, the defending champion Chiefs could be an option. Patrick Mahomes currently has a beat-up receiver room, although he does still have rookie WR Xavier Worthy and TE Travis Kelce as targets.
Another option could be a reunion between Adams and Aaron Rodgers, which would come in New York with the Jets. Rodgers and Adams built a unique chemistry over their time in Green Bay, and if the Jets saw value in adding another receiver to a core that already includes Garrett Wilson, Mike Williams, and Allen Lazard, Adams would be an elite acquisition.
Various other win-now teams with potential needs for a talented receiver like Adams, such as the Steelers, Packers, or Bills, could view the current Raider as a trade target if Las Vegas opts to move on from Adams.
