Elsa/Getty Images
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he is “really excited” to play with Davante Adams following the star wideout’s trade from the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Obviously, really excited. Love Tae, he’s a phenomenal player, and a dear friend,” Rodgers said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers said he learned about the Adams trade after a “crappy day” during which the Jets’ record dropped to 2-4 following Monday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Adams, whom Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer reported flew to New Jersey on Monday night, then joined Rodgers during the interview.
Rodgers and Adams spent eight seasons together on the Green Bay Packers.
The Jets traded a conditional third-round pick to acquire Adams from the Raiders on Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Rodgers said he ended up hearing about the trade from Adams himself.
“It was a crappy day, yesterday, obviously. We had a real good chance to get to 3-3 and win a home game, kind of gave that one away,” Rodgers said. “I was pissed, driving home, through traffic, had a couple messages, I was just not in the mood to talk to anybody. Got home and Tae called me, and texted me, so I finally called him back.”
Adams joked about Rodgers’ delay in responding to him, saying, “He was having second thoughts.”
The former Raiders wide receiver told McAfee that he is “feeling great” regarding the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 3.
Once healthy, Adams said his connection with Rodgers would help him adjust to playing in New York under new play-caller Todd Downing, who took over his duties from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett ahead of the Week 6 loss.
“Fortunately, I’ll be able to roll,” Adams said. “I’m sure there’s a few little nuances, but for the most part, a lot of the same verbiage. Still the same OG right here, so should be able to pick up where we left off. That’s the idea.”
Adams requested a trade from the Raiders on Sept. 30, after which both Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter he would prefer a deal to the Jets in order to play with Rodgers. Rodgers meanwhile previously told reporters he would like to play with Adams again.
Now that the two former Packers have been reunited, the Jets will hope adding another top wide receiver to a room currently staffed by Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson will help New York climb back into AFC East contention. SNY’s Connor Hughes reported on Tuesday that the Jets are “hopeful” Adams will be able to make his team debut on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Leave a Reply