Who Will The New York Jets Turn To After They Release Davante Adams?

One of few positive moments of the 2024 season for New York Jets fans came in October, when star wide receiver Davante Adams revealed his trade to the team by appearing behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show.

The move – which brought Adams to New York for a conditional third-round pick – came following three close losses, bumping the Jets to 2-4. Despite the skid, which would extend for two more games, the Jets’ front office continued to market themselves as “all-in.” That’s where Adams came in.

>READ MORE: HOW DEVANTE ADAMS LANDED WITH THE JETS

At the beginning of the season, Adams had five 1,000-yard seasons, with another two coming in at just three yards under that mark. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and had been named to the First Team All-Pro twice. Most notably, he had achieved most of that success with the Green Bay Packers, catching balls from none other than Rodgers, who went to the Jets a season after Adams landed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Optimism was high. Adams delivered on his end, by and large, posting a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season and catching seven touchdowns for the Jets, who direly needed the offensive production. But the team – and Rodgers – struggled, finishing with a record of 5-12.

Two seasons of cratered expectations were enough. The Jets are moving on from Rodgers, and have officially released Adams after trade negotiations presumably didn’t yield fruit.

The 32-year-old’s contract would have counted for a league-high $38.3 million against the salary cap in 2025. With Adams’ contract off the books, the Jets have an additional $29.877 million in cap space – although their attraction for free agents amid the upheaval is slim, to say the least.

In the meantime, the Jets will roll with Garrett Wilson, who seems to be their only viable long-term option at wide receiver (Allen Lazard, another Rodgers favorite, seems likely to be released). Wilson, 24, had another productive campaign in 2024, posting his third 1,000-yard season of his three-year career. Even so, unless he takes a massive step, he can’t carry the Jets offense by himself.

It’s now New York’s responsibility to find a quarterback and secondary receiver(s) – or risk another year in the league basement.