Should Saints pursue WR Davante Adams?

By Ross Jackson

After the offseason shedding by the New York Jets, the New Orleans Saints may have a new target in free agency. But it would be one that could come with some raised eyebrows. 

The Jets, who parted ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier this year, have also released star wide receiver Davanate Adams. The 11-year wideout appeared in 14 games last season, 12 as a member of the Jets. 

We have released WR Davante Adams.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 4, 2025

Saints ties with Adams

Adams was traded early in the season from the Las Vegas Raiders after a weeks-long sweepstakes took place, of which the Saints were a part. 

Adams eventually ended up with former Green Bay Packers teammate, Rodgers, when all was said and done. The Saints however, were reportedly on his preferred team list as well. 

The belief is that Adams could follow Rodgers to his next stop. But the decline in the quarterback’s game is evident, which could make that idea less appealing than it might have been years ago. 

Should Adams be interested in landing elsewhere, even just for the 2025 season, he could re-engage his interest in the Saints to team up with another former teammate in quarterback Derek Carr. 

The two played together not just as a part of the Raiders but also spent college years together at Fresno State. Adams’s wide receiver coach Keith Williams has also been retained as the Saints’ wideout coach. Those could be two strong draws to the Big Easy for Adams. And this time, the Saints would not have to surrender assets in order to acquire Adams who is now on the open market. 

Youth movement?

Because the Jets cut Adams as opposed to his contract expiring, a deal with his new team will not factor into the compensatory pick formula. 

It is warranted to be critical of the idea for those that believe that the Saints should be focused on getting younger. Adams is entering his age 33 season on a team that already has nearly two handfuls of 30-plus year old players. The signing of Adams would not help the team in the assumed task of getting younger. 

But truthfully, the Saints themselves aren’t showing much interest in the idea anyway. They are preparing to move ahead with Carr at quarterback as he enters his age 34 season. The organization has shown no signs yet of wanting to part ways with veteran defenders like defensive end Cameron Jordan and linebacker Demario Davis, who continues to play incredibly well. And Combine reports of the team considering moving on from New Orleans-born safety Tyrann Mathieu appear shaky at best. 

Can the Saints afford Adams?

If Adams is willing to join the team on a sensible short-term deal, it could be a win for both sides. Compete with what you have in 2025 and then a clear split after the year. 

Many will also highlight that New Orleans is more than $40 million over the salary cap, but it’s hard to believe that a deal would get done that would be financially demanding. This deal only happens if it’s an affordable one or two-year deal, more than likely. A veteran minimum base salary, a solid signing bonus,  playing time incentives and perhaps more non-guaranteed money set for a year from now could make the deal enticing enough for Adams but manageable enough for New Orleans. 

The Saints could take a similar approach in signing Adams this offseason as they did signing defensive end Chase Young last season. 

Is it a move that guarantees the Saints will be contenders in 2024? Perhaps not. But if their intent is to compete, addressing one of their biggest needs in free agency with a proven commodity is an opportunity few NFL teams pass up. That’s assuming the opportunity presents itself at all, of course. 

Adams finished his 14 game season last year with 85 receptions, 1,063 receiving yards and 8 touchdown catches. All of which would have led the Saints in each category in 2024.