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Packers Trading Adams To Raiders; WR Reunites With College Teammate Carr
Davante Adams said he wouldn't play under the franchise tag for the Green Bay Packers, and it appears he won't have to.

According to multiple reports, the Raiders are trading for the Packers superstar receiver and giving him a new five-year, $141.25 million contract. Adams will make a per-year average of $28.25 million and becomes the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

The deal will require Las Vegas to send back a first- and second-round pick in this year's draft.

The Packers were willing to match what the Raiders are giving Adams in his new deal, but Adams preferred to play elsewhere, a source told ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The Packers had used the franchise tag on Adams earlier this month.

Earlier this week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed an extension with the Packers, in a deal that is essentially for three years and $150 million.

Rodgers was aware of the developments with Adams as they unfolded in recent days, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Adams, who turned 29 in December, set the Packers' single-season record for receptions (123) and receiving yards (1,553) last season. He became just the sixth player in NFL history with 120-plus catches, 1,500-plus yards and 11-plus touchdown catches in the same season.

He's the only player in NFL history with three seasons (2018, 2020-21) of 110-plus catches, 1,350-plus receiving yards and 11-plus receiving TDs and one of just three players in league history with 650-plus receptions, 8,000-plus receiving yards and 70-plus TD catches in his first eight seasons in the NFL; Marvin Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald are the others.

A Pro Bowl selection in each of the past five seasons and first-team All-Pro in the past two, Adams has 669 receptions for 8,121 yards and 73 touchdowns in eight seasons since he was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2014 draft.

While Adams is leaving behind a sensational tenure with the Packers and Rodgers, he is reuniting with his college quarterback Derek Carr, as the two played together at Fresno State. Adams recently purchased a house "right next to his new QB," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted.

In their two seasons at Bulldogs, Adams led the Football Bowl Subdivision in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, while Carr was atop the FBS in passing yards and passing touchdowns, per NFL Research.

Now, Carr, who's longed for a legitimate No. 1 receiver, has Adams, tight end Darren Waller and receiver Hunter Renfrow at his disposal.

For what it's worth, Rapoport reports the next step for the Raiders will be to extend Carr. Adams came to Las Vegas knowing his QB will be here for the long term. ...

And what about Rodgers and the Packers?

As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio reminded readers, after the Packers lost to the 49ers to end their 2021 season,Rodgers said he didn't want to be part of a rebuilding effort. While the team remains in good shape, especially with Rodgers coming back, the receiving corps is definitely in rebuild mode.

Without Adams, it's fair to wonder how Rodgers feels about starting over with a gaggle of new pass catchers.

Sure, Randall Cobb is still there. But his days of being a No. 1 wideout ended a long time ago. Beyond Cobb, there's no one who even be close to being a top option. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a free agent. Equanimeous St. Brown signed with the Bears today. Allen Lazard is a restricted free agent, tendered at the second-round level.

Beyond that, the market isn't very impressive. They could sign Odell Beckham Jr., but when will he be ready to play?

Other available players include Jarvis Landry, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Julio Jones, and A.J. Green.

Florio went on to suggest the Packers also could pursue a trade.

Chase Claypool, for example, possibly will be wasted in Pittsburgh until they get another franchise quarterback. Other receivers could agitate for a deal to Green Bay.

Or the Packers could turn to the draft. That may be their best/only option -- especially with the additional first and second rounders the Raiders are sending them.

To review, from a fantasy perspective: Rodgers, Adams, Waller and Renfrow will all likely lose ground in the early rankings while Carr's value will rise. We'll have more on all this in coming weeks.