Raiders' Davante Adams voices frustrations amid trade rumors

All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams is pleased the Las Vegas Raiders have won back-to-back games but wants the ball more amid speculation hovering over his status ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. 

"I’m sure people are thinking, 'They won the game, so why is there an issue?'" Adams said while speaking with reporters, per Mark Anderson of the Associated Press. "When you’re a player like me, mentally my benchmark is not wins and losses, it’s greatness. So when I go out there, I expect to have that ability to put that on the table and have an influence on the game. That’s my purpose for being here. I came here to win and to do it the right way, so if it doesn’t look like it’s supposed to look, then I’m going to be frustrated if I’m not part of that plan."

Adams noted earlier this month after he hurt his right shoulder in the Week 4 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers that he is "trying to create something special" with the Raiders. That was before he recorded just six catches over the past two games, both of which Las Vegas won, and some have wondered if the 30-year-old who signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $141.25M in March 2022 could become available before the month ends. 

"So if it don't look like it's supposed to look, then I'm going to be frustrated if I'm not a part of that plan," Adams added, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. "Because I have the opportunity to go and change that and make it look like a much better picture out there. And if that doesn't happen, then I'm going to be frustrated."

ESPN stats show that Adams ended Week 6 leading the 3-3 Raiders with 39 catches, 59 targets and 471 receiving yards. He recorded just three touchdown grabs across the season's first six games but somewhat defended quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo, Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell during his comments.  

"At the end of the day, it's not easy throwing to somebody who gets the coverages that I get," Adams acknowledged. "...It's just the way that it is, so I'm aware of that and I know that it's not easy, but I've done it and I even did it last year and we've had flashes this year making it happen. But we've got to have it on a more consistent basis in order for us to be the offense that we want to be."

Adams' next opportunity to contribute will come when the Raiders play at the 1-5 Chicago Bears this Sunday.