The San Francisco 49ers opened the NFL trade floodgates this weekend by sending star wide reliever Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. Samuel is just one of several big names who could be on the move this spring as teams look to clean up their salary books or simply move in a younger direction.
One wideout who's expected to be changing uniforms this offseason is Davante Adams with the New York Jets likely headed in a much different direction. Given his gargantuan 2025 salary, Adams is someone many believe will be a cap casualty cut in the coming weeks.
However, the Jets -- likely inspired by the Niners -- are making a last-ditch effort to drum up Adams interest after Samuel was dealt.
Sources: The #Jets are now taking calls on star WR Davante Adams, open to trading him prior to the start of the league year. No surprise with his $38.2M cap number.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2025
If they can’t get a deal, they are expected to release Adams, who could rejoin QB Aaron Rodgers with a new team. pic.twitter.com/EjvMh2zF1J
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that New York is "now taking calls" on Adams trades in the lead up to free agency opening and the start of the new league year. The timing is far from a coincidence, as Samuel coming off the market means Adams is now one of the biggest fish left at WR, making him one of the top candidates to be moved to anyone desperate for pass-catching help.
Adams officially being put on the trade block by his current team should also catch San Francisco's attention as it looks to remake its wide receiver room. Though a youth movement is anticipated at receiver, the 49ers still will want veterans capable of leading the corps while their prospects develop.
That makes the 32-year-old Adams the perfect target for a short-term partnership. He showed he still has plenty left in the tank after recording his sixth 1,000-yard season in 2024, and that was all while playing in just 14 games. His elite route running and ability to make catches in traffic bring plenty of value to the table with Brock Purdy under center for the Niners' offense as well.
That's not even to mention the fact it's rumored Adams, who was born in Redwood City and went to school at Fresno State, is eyeing a return to the West Coast as his career comes to a close.
Adams' massive 2025 salary does present a potential hurdle in the way of Adams making it to the Bay Area via trade. However, John Lynch could always work out some kind of arrangement with New York or the six-time Pro Bowler to lighten the financial impact of his addition, so that doesn't take a deal off of the table.