It’s the money. Let’s start there.
Davante Adams would like a trade out of Las Vegas. The Raiders would like the assets that come with dealing away a star wideout.
But the reason not everyone can be in on trade talks for a three-time All-Pro and the reason the Raiders may not glean the return for which they’d hoped comes down to money. Namely, the salary cap hits of $36.25 million and $37.25 million Adams will cost his new team in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, per Over the Cap.
There are ways to massage that number down, but the fact remains there’s still a sizable chunk remaining on the five-year, $140 million contract extension Adams signed with Las Vegas in 2022. Any team acquiring his talent will also acquire his financials. While the overall impact of that can be dampened by restructuring or even a release, it’s still a massive hurdle when considering any deal.
It’s also why the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns, receiver needy as they are, make little sense as trade partners.
The New York Jets, the first team listed in a report by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, have an estimated $88 million to spend against 2025’s projected salary cap. The Cowboys have $29 million. The Browns have -$3.6 million.