Raiders GM Tom Telesco put an end to rumors at the NFL scouting combine in February that star wide receiver Davante Adams might be traded. “He’s part of the Raiders,” Telesco stated.
However, speculation about Adams’ future in Las Vegas has persisted, prompting his representatives to issue a statement last month to ESPN calling it “unfounded speculation.”
Adams himself is focused on the upcoming season with the Raiders, who started their first training camp practice on Wednesday. “I approach life with a fresh mindset,” Adams said. “Last year had its challenges, but I’m ready for a new beginning.”
The Netflix documentary series “Receiver” highlighted Adams’ frustrations during the previous season. He was one of five players followed by the series, showing both the highs and lows on and off the field.
Adams openly expressed frustration with the Raiders’ 3-5 start and the performance of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who struggled with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions at that point.
After coach Josh McDaniels was fired and Antonio Pierce took over as interim coach, Adams supported the decision to bench Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. Under O’Connell, the Raiders finished with a 5-4 record in the second half of the season.
Adams confirmed that the documentary accurately portrayed his and the team’s journey. Adams shared his thoughts on the documentary, emphasizing the genuine emotions captured during challenging times for the team.
“It showed our highs and lows authentically,” Adams said. “While it’s a TV show and has its narratives, it accurately reflected how I and the team felt.”
“Now, I’m in a positive place,” Adams continued. “I’m excited about what lies ahead and today was a great start for us.” Coach Pierce briefly commented on the documentary, stating there’s no need to dwell on it moving forward.
“Davante chose to participate, and it showed both positives and negatives,” Pierce said. “It’s part of the story now, and we can’t change that.”
The Raiders hope Adams, a three-time first-team All-Pro, continues to excel and contributes to their push for the playoffs. He has consistently topped 100 catches and 1,000 yards in five of the last six seasons.
The team’s quarterback situation remains uncertain, with O’Connell and Gardner Minshew competing for the starting spot. Pierce emphasized ongoing evaluation and open discussions among the team.
While Adams’ former teammate Aaron Rodgers sparked recent trade rumors linking them again, Adams’ focus remains on the upcoming season with the Raiders. Adams’ agents acted quickly to dismiss rumors.
For now, Adams is with the Raiders, focused on the present. He’s eager to start training camp with new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. They previously worked together in Green Bay, where Getsy was the passing game coordinator from 2020 to 2021.
“It feels familiar like my time in Green Bay because I’m back in that offensive system,” Adams said. “I still remember about 85% of this offense from 2021.”
Having this familiarity makes him more relaxed. “I don’t stress as much checking my notes before we go back on the field.”
