The Jets are hoping to catch a Hail Mary with Davante Adams.
The widespread expectation ever since the Jets decided to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been that parting ways with Adams — who forced his way to the Jets in October via trade — will be next on the new regime’s to-do list.
The easiest way to say goodbye is to cut Adams and absorb a $6.2 million dead charge on the salary cap in order to save slightly more than $32 million.
But NFL Network reported Sunday that the Jets are listening to trade offers for Adams.
It would be very surprising if any team took that bait considering that they would inherit Adams’ bloated $38.3 million salary-cap hit while surrendering draft capital.
If the Jets do not find a trade partner, the expectation remains that Adams will be released.
As a free agent, Adams likely would want to pair up for the third time in his career with Rodgers, who has let it be known that he would be interested in joining the Giants.
The Rodgers-Adams partnership moving from one locker room at MetLife Stadium to the other would set up a chance for revenge.
But Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson didn’t like playing second fiddle in that dynamic, and the Giants’ Malik Nabers would find himself in a similar spot after a stellar rookie season.
There is no doubt that the 32-year-old Adams still can play.
He totaled 85 catches for 1,063 yards — his sixth time clearing 1,000 yards since 2018 — and seven touchdowns last season while playing three games for the Raiders and 11 for the Jets.
But the Jets might just have to accept the sunk cost of trading a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) in the 2025 draft to rent Adams for half the season.
General manager Darren Mougey said last Tuesday the Jets “have a plan” for resolving the Adams “issue.”
The plan likely will be resolved within the next week because free agent spending opens March 10.
