It has widely been assumed that Davante Adams will be back with the Green Bay Packers next season now that Aaron Rodgers has committed to the team, but the situation sounds a bit complicated.
The Packers placed the franchise tag on Adams after agreeing to an extension with Rodgers. That will prevent the star wide receiver from hitting free agency, but Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported on Monday that Adams has informed the Packers he will not play under the tag.
Adams wants a long-term deal. Rapoport says the relationship between Adams and the Packers is “not in a great place” at the moment. Here’s more:
The latest from @RapSheet and me on Davante Adams, who has informed the #Packers he won’t play on the franchise tag amidst fundamental differences on a long-term deal. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kf6YeJXZxC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
Most players prefer not to play under the franchise tag. Our guess is the Packers will find a way to make Adams happy, though it could take a while. As Pelissero noted, Adams can skip the entire offseason without penalty if he waits to sign the franchise tender.
Davante Adams isn’t obligated to attend #Packers minicamp, training camp or anything else until he signs his franchise tender. He could show up Week 1 and still collect the full $20,226,600. So this could take a while.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2022
The Packers could easily trade Adams if they had to, as several teams were expected to pursue him in free agency. Obviously, that would not please Rodgers. We can almost guarantee that he made it clear to Green Bay that he wants Adams back. That could complicate things.
There is plenty of time for Adams and the Packers to work out a deal, but the situation is one that will be worth monitoring.
Photo: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) participates in training camp at Ray Nitschke Field, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
