Over the next several weeks, I will analyze each of the Packers’ unrestricted free agents by revisiting their 2021 seasons, assessing why they should or should not be re-signed, projecting possible contract terms, and making a prediction on whether or not the player will return in 2022.
First up in the series, Davante Adams enjoyed his second consecutive first-team All-Pro season in 2021. He was also voted to his fifth straight Pro Bowl. Will he be rewarded with a new contract as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver moving forward?
Season In Review
Adams posted career highs in catches (123) and yards (1,553) and reached double digits in touchdowns (11) for the fifth time in the past six seasons. He managed to do all this despite facing constant double-teams. He dropped only four passes, the second-lowest number of his career. Adams also deserves credit for not complaining about his contract. Many players in his situation would’ve made it a season-long issue. The only concession he made to his lack of long-term security was the propensity to get to the ground after a reception rather than take on defenders and fight for extra yards.
Why Packers Should Re-Sign Him
Adams is one of the top two or three wide receivers in the league, and even though his 30th birthday is in December, he shows no signs of slowing down. There’s also nobody on the roster ready to replace him. Because Green Bay hasn’t drafted a wide receiver prior to the third round since 2014, the depth chart is filled with try-hard players best-suited to be backups. If Adams leaves, general manager Brian Gutekunst will be forced to use one of his top two picks on a wide receiver.
Why Packers Should Let Him Walk
Adams wants to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the league, and giving at least $23 million a year to any non-QB is questionable, let alone to a skill player who turns 30 during next season. It also must be pointed out that the Packers are 7-0 without Adams since 2019, and while nobody is suggesting the offense is better without him, his absences did force play-caller Matt LaFleur to be more creative and Rodgers to release the ball more quickly and get other receivers involved.
What A Contract Might Look Like
$100 million/4 years ($55M guaranteed)
Prediction
If president/general manager/head coach/quarterback Rodgers returns, so will Adams. The Packers will slap the franchise tag on him at the cost of $20 million and then attempt to work out a long-term deal before the start of training camp. If Rodgers doesn’t return, the Packers could still extend Adams, but a tag and trade becomes more likely.
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I believe it is a mistake to pay him or any receiver this type of money.
Rodgers is a great QB, but he likes to play too many games and his last game against the 49ers looked a lot like Favre’s last game against the NY Giants when he tried forcing the ball to Driver rather than throwing it to Grant.
I’m really ready to move on and trade Rodgers and Davante Adams. This thought process of giving two players an average of 75 million a year isn’t the right model.
Take the money and build a great defense, improve special teams, utilize the running game and find a QB who can understand the offense and play within the framework of the system.
Will that happen? Don’t think so… because we’re going to placate Rodgers just so we can be disappointed again.
It’s really time to change.
You are 100 percent right