Aaron Rodgers isn't likely to be the New York Jets quarterback come 2025, if he even lasts the remainder of the season.
As such, the franchise has been advised to preemptively cut ties with wide receiver Davante Adams before trade demands and internal conflict make an even bigger mess out of what is already a catastrophic situation in New York.
Adams recently forced his way out of the AFC West Division, pushing for a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, who dealt him to the Jets for a conditional 2025 third-round draft pick earlier this season. The wideout will enter his age-33 campaign next fall with two years remaining on his $140 million contract.
As such, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested on Nov. 21 that if the Jets are ready to dive headfirst into yet another rebuild, the savings they can find by releasing Adams are too good to pass up.
"It isn't like the 31-year-old can't still produce at a high level, though; it's the fact that this Jets team could be in for a complete remodel once Rodgers moves on," Ballentine wrote. "Adams just went through that with the Raiders, so it's hard to imagine him being excited about sticking around for another rebuild. The Jets would clear an astounding $30 million against the [salary] cap by cutting him."
Of course, it is worth it for New York to at least explore an Adams trade first, though he is having his worst season in nearly a decade. He has caught 44 passes for 487 yards and 2 touchdowns across eight games played this year, per Pro Football Reference.
Given the downturn in production and the cost of his contract, the Jets would probably be looking at a Day 3 pick in return for Adams next spring, and that's the best-case scenario.
This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.
