Davante Adams won't play on tag, sides 'far apart' on deal

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is not happy with being saddled by the franchise tag. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Packers WR Davante Adams reportedly won't play on franchise tag, sides 'far apart' on deal

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 3/14/22

Things were already a little hectic for the Green Bay Packers this offseason as they tried to get Aaron Rodgers inked to that new four-year contract.

Now, it appears Rodgers isn't the only big-name player who has been at odds with the team, as reports have surfaced that star wide receiver Davante Adams has decided not to play under the franchise next season.

Green Bay placed the tag, worth approximately $20 million, on Adams as the team and All-Pro wideout continued to try getting closer to signing a new deal. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, that common ground is allegedly nowhere in sight.

"Based on negotiations and how things are going, this relationship is not in a great place," Rapoport said.

From @GMFB: #Packers star WR Davante Adams has informed the team he won’t play on the franchise tag, and the sides remain far apart on a long-term deal, per sources. It’s all coming to a head. Something has to give. pic.twitter.com/Df0zpvhglM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022

"Considering that the free-agent window is upon us... something has to give," Rapoport continued. "This situation, which has been boiling under the surface, is coming to a head."

Of course, Adams and the Packers being at odds right this second doesn't mean a deal will never get done. As Pro Football Talk points out, it's "common for players and teams to be far apart in March and then reach an agreement in July."

That being said, the Packers shouldn't take the Adams' negotiations lightly. One of Rodgers' big sticking points for staying in Green Bay was to play with Adams. Now, it looks like the focus on his massive new contract simply hid how much work needs to be done to get the WR to stay in the first place.

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