‘He’s a Raider’: GM says WR Davante Adams won’t be traded

Note to any NFL general manager considering enquiring about Davante Adams’ availability—a three-time first-team All-Pro receiver: “He’s a Raider,” declared Tom Telesco, the new general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, on Tuesday at the combine.

Telesco effectively put an end to any possibility of considering trade discussions for the six-time Pro Bowl player with his remarks.

When Adams told ESPN during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas that it was “definitely exciting” to work with new Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy—with whom he broke into the NFL in 2014 with the Green Bay Packers—he seemed optimistic about his future with the team.

“He’s an open-minded coach who will listen to the experienced players who understand the ins and outs of this game,” stated Adams, who finished the 2018 season with 103 receptions but the lowest receiving yards per catch average (11.1) since 2015 and the fewest touchdown catches (8) since his 12-game season in 2019.

Before taking on the role of receivers coach for the Packers in 2016 and 2017, Getsy served as their offensive quality control coach in 2014 and 2015. In 2018 he served as Mississippi State’s offensive coordinator, then in 2019 he returned to Green Bay to teach the Packers’ quarterbacks. Before departing to become their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2020 and 2021, the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears in 2022. The Bears dismissed him in January.

“Open-mindedness and, like I said, that innovation to the offense and a good run-pass balance,” Adams commented on Getsy. “And I’m accustomed to that West Coast vibe. Working on a new system that is also somewhat more recognizable will be enjoyable.

In addition, Telesco stated he did not “anticipate” utilizing the franchise tag this offseason, saying he wanted to “establish a philosophy at the Raiders that ‘we like to re-sign our own.'” Telesco was hired on January 24 to work with coach Antonio Pierce.

Josh Jacobs, a 2022 first-team All-Pro running back who had a career-worst season the previous season, is a free agent.

“It doesn’t bother me that I didn’t draft him,” Telesco stated of Jacobs, who was franchise tagged by the team led by general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels the previous season. Jacobs was a first-round selection in 2019 by then-coach Jon Gruden and then-GM Mike Mayock.

“He’s a high-level player because he’s a Raider and the Raiders picked him. We’re going to investigate thoroughly to see if we can get him back here, and then we’ll take it from there. However, he can actually assist you in winning games in terms of rushing, throwing, and pass protection as a player.”

In response to being tagged the previous season, Jacobs skipped training camp, the exhibition season, and the entire offseason program in Las Vegas. He came back Following missing the final four games due to a quad injury, he finished with career lows in running yards (805), yards per carry (3.5), touchdowns (6), and games played (13), all while playing on an adjusted tag that paid him $11.791 million, up from the initial price of $10.091 million. This year, Jacobs’ estimated tag is worth almost $14.149 million.

Furthermore, second-year back Zamir White thrived in Jacobs’ absence, running for a total of 397 yards and a touchdown while receiving nine catches for 60 yards in both games. Pierce and Raiders owner Mark Davis have both referred to Jacobs as the team’s heart and soul.

“With so many backs available this year, I suppose it will be interesting to see what others believe “Telesco said. “But the talent pool at that position in free agency is relatively high.”