Star wide receiver potentially ‘open to’ joining 49ers if he is released

This would be a massive get for the 49ers.

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With quarterback Aaron Rodgers looking unlikely to stay with the New York Jets, it would not be a huge surprise if star wide receiver Davante Adams left New York as well. If he does, the San Francisco 49ers could be in a prime spot to sign him.

Reporter Jeremy Fowler of ESPN recently reported that Adams would be open to returning to the West Coast if he is released by the Jets. This makes a good deal of sense because he was born and raised in East Palo Alto and went to college at Fresno State.

Adams was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Jets last season when New York’s season was going downhill and they were desperate to make a splash. Adams reunited with his old quarterback in Rodgers who he had great success with when they were teammates on the Green Bay Packers.

Adams was a first-team All-Pro for three consecutive seasons in Green Bay. The splash did not work out, though, as the Jets did not come anywhere near making the playoffs.

49ers should absolutely sign Davante Adams if he’s released by the Jets

The 32-year-old Adams still put up good numbers in New York. In 11 games, he had 67 receptions for 854 yards and seven touchdowns. Even though he is on the wrong side of 30, he proved he still can be an elite wide receiver.

The 49ers would be wise to take a swing at Adams and see if they can get him to return to the land of his youth. Santa Clara is not far at all from Palo Alto so it seems like a great situation for Adams to return home while at the same time joining a team that could be a Super Bowl contender.

San Francisco was heavily connected to Adams in trade talks last season, but a deal did not happen. This was probably a good thing because the 49ers almost certainly would have have still missed the playoffs even if they had Adams. Thankfully, they did not have to give up any players or draft capital to land him.

Now, if he gets released, the 49ers can sign him as a free agent. That will still not be easy because plenty of teams will also be eager to land him. The 49ers also already have three proven wide receivers in Deebo Samuel (although he has reportedly requested a trade), Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings, so wide receiver is not the most pressing need on the team.

But with how banged up the Niners were last season, it may not be the worst thing for the front office to add another elite skill player to guard against injuries to other star players.

We will have to see how the Jets decide to handle Adams, but if they release him then the 49ers should make a run to add the veteran wide receiver.