Steelers ‘Real’ Competition for Davante Adams Na…read more
The Pittsburgh Steelers are actively pursuing a trade for Las Vegas Raiders’ star wide receiver, Davante Adams, according to reports from Steelers On SI. The Steelers are one of three serious contenders in the running for the All-Pro wideout, but they face stiff competition from other teams, most notably the New York Jets.
The Jets are widely considered the frontrunners to acquire Adams, largely due to quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ strong desire to reunite with his former Green Bay Packers teammate. Adams has also reportedly shown interest in the possibility of heading to New York, adding to the belief that the Jets may be in the driver’s seat to make the deal happen.
However, the Steelers remain firmly in the conversation, alongside the New Orleans Saints. NFL insider Mike Silver emphasized Pittsburgh’s serious interest in the potential trade during an appearance on The Zach Gelb Show, stating, “It feels like the Jets to me, but I do believe the Saints and Steelers specifically are real.”
Any team acquiring Adams would need to navigate his current hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him for one to two weeks. Additionally, his remaining salary for the season presents a financial hurdle. Adams is set to earn approximately $13 million for the rest of the year, with the figure decreasing slightly each week. A team trading for Adams would need to absorb around $1 million per week of his contract.
For the Steelers, Adams would address a significant need in their receiving corps. While George Pickens has emerged as the team’s top wide receiver, other options like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin have been inconsistent through the first four weeks of the season. Pittsburgh had previously been interested in acquiring Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers, but those plans fell through when Aiyuk signed an extension.
A potential trade for Adams is expected to cost Pittsburgh at least a second-round draft pick, and the Raiders are reportedly seeking a “significant player” in return as well. While no deal is expected before the Steelers’ Week 5 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, trade talks are likely to intensify over the weekend and into next week as Pittsburgh aims to outmaneuver their competition for Adams.
