Why Rams' Davante Adams feels 'sick,' 'heartbroken' about latest Aaron Rodgers rumors

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams has a long history of serving as a favorite target for current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Following the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans this past Monday night, Rodgers neither confirmed nor denied that he had just finished the final game of his Hall of Fame career. During a Tuesday appearance on the FanDuel TV "Up & Adams Show," Adams spoke about the Rodgers retirement whispers. 

Would Davante Adams like to see Aaron Rodgers play another season?

"I see it, and it makes me sick because knowing him and knowing what everyone should know about him at this point ... he learned from Brett Favre," Adams said about Rodgers, per Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. "He’s just as much Iron Man as anybody who’s ever played this game. I got so much respect for how he’s done it. The fact that he’s just been himself throughout this whole thing, I got nothing but cheers for him, no matter what happens."

Adams and Rodgers were first teammates with the Green Bay Packers from 2014 through the 2021 season, and they later played together as members of the New York Jets for a portion of the 2024 campaign. 

As for Rodgers' plans, a recent report indicated that he leaked in December that he "probably" will retire during the offseason. Additionally, it has been suggested that Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Steelers on Tuesday makes it unlikely that Rodgers will want to continue playing for Pittsburgh. 

Davante Adams wants a better ending for Aaron Rodgers

"I’m heartbroken for him because I know how much he wants it and I know how much he deserves it," Adams said about Rodgers' playing career possibly ending with a blowout defeat and a pick-six. "To see that game end that way, that’s not how any of us saw it happening. Definitely don’t want his career to end that way. That’s one of my best friends, that hurts me, that hurts my heart a little bit to watch. Ultimately, hoping there’s something left there for him to continue going. I want to see him happy and see him finish the way that he deserves to finish."

It's too early to say if an advertised playoff contender could view Rodgers as a bridge option at quarterback. That said, it's possible the 42-year-old has simply had enough and is ready to ride off into the sunset of retirement.