Davante Adams' desire to play with Derek Carr the main motivation for trade to Raiders?

The Green Bay Packers traded wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders this week in return for a first-round pick and second-round pick.

Considering that Adams is arguably the best player at his position in the NFL right now, there is a fair case to be made that Las Vegas actually got him on the cheap. The Nos. 22 and 53 picks are not nothing, but given what has happened to their receivers over the past year, the Raiders did quite well for themselves.

This trade ultimately brought up two questions: 1) Why didn’t the Packers get more for Adam? 2) Why was he so desperate to get away from the Packers and Aaron Rodgers, when apparently he could’ve gotten the same or more money?

On Friday, an answer to both questions emerged. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, it all came down to who Adams wanted to play with.

“NFL Network reported that the Raiders and Adams have also agreed to terms on a five-year, $141.25 million contract ($28.5 million per year),” he reported. “According to sources, the Packers were willing to pay Adams as much, if not more, than the Raiders paid him.

“Money and structure of the contract were not considered the issue. Ultimately, the move came down to Adams wanting to play with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, one of his best friends and his college quarterback at Fresno State.”

This aligns with a recent report explaining why Rodgers was OK with his best receiver walking. Clearly he understood the dynamics about Adams’ relationship with him and the franchise better than the general public did.

For all the niceties exchanged between Adams and Rodgers in recent years, the former still preferred playing with a different quarterback. One who, mind you, is objectively less talented.

It will be interesting to see where the Packers go from here. Clearly they have a big need at receiver that now must be addressed.