WR Davante Adams Chooses Leadership Methods Wisely

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Ezekiel Trezevant IV | Last updated Dec 28, 2023 11:00 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams is one of the leaders of Las Vegas' offense and the entire team. As a team captain, few players have earned the right to express their thoughts and feelings like Adams has.

In the age of social media and hot takes, Adams' expression of his thoughts and feelings in the past has also been incorrectly considered a distraction to his teammates. This would leave many players in his shoes in a challenging position.

Adams has visibly and verbally expressed his frustrations at different times this season. Adams says he considers many things when deciding how to be a leader on game day, specifically when the offense is struggling like they were against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It's not the same every time," Adams said. "Depends on what it is. You got to read the room, too, to see where everybody is mentally. Sometimes, you can see it in guys' eyes that there's a lot going on in their heads, and those are times we usually speak up."

"But everybody's out there trying to do the right thing. So, it's not like you're in the huddle barking or anything like that. It's more sidelines is when you do that type of stuff. Timeouts, we'll sometimes speak to each other."

"For the most part, everybody's locked in and confident in the huddle. So, it's not too much that needs to go on in there, but obviously, you look at the production of the offense, and you’d think that we need to say something, but that's not really the time."

"You don't really have too much time anyway," Adams said. "You got to get the call in and get to the line. So, like I said, when we get to the to the sideline, that's something that we try to do and make sure we figure out whatever we need to figure out, whether it's calls or getting somebody's mind right or whatever it is."

Few players have as many eyes on them from media and fans as Adams. He faces scrutiny that would make anyone second guess their words and actions.

His methods of communication may differ, but they're always effective and always for the betterment of the team. For a leader of Adams' caliber, that is all that matters.

The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year's Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Don't miss it on Sunday, December 31, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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