Reuniting with Davante Adams: A Smart Move or Risky Play?

In Brian Gutekunst’s season-ending press conference, ESPN Wisconsin radio host Jason Wilde asked the Green Bay Packers general management about 2024’s disappointments and where Gutekunst and the team could improve in 2025.

“We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” said Gutekunst. “These opportunities don’t come very often. The life of a player in the NFL is not very long. We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, a bunch of talented guys. I think it’s time we start competing for championships.”

According to Over the Cap, the Packers are projected to have over $50 million in cap space for 2025. However, that number could shrink with potential contract extensions. This offseason is the first time since 2019, when Green Bay signed the Smith Bros. and Adrian Amos, that the front office has the financial flexibility to make significant moves in free agency.

“If we need to make some changes to acquire a player who can impact our team like these two guys (Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs) did,” Gutekunst said, “we’ll do it.”

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Packers are reportedly in the hunt for Tee Higgins this offseason. However, Green Bay doesn’t typically trade a high draft pick for a player, and I’d be surprised if Gutekunst changed course.

You better be right. I’m assuming you’re talking about a veteran player. When you trade a high pick for a veteran, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a proven player, but probably an expensive one. So, you’re giving up a pick and cap space. I think you have to weigh that, and if it’s the right player and you feel he can be a dynamic force that can change your football team, you have to consider it because there aren’t many of those guys out there. But you also have to understand what you’re giving up, and that’s kind of my feel.

Whether Green Bay will aggressively pursue Higgins is anyone’s guess. However, there is another wide receiver Brian Gutekunst could pursue, one who will be less expensive and has hinted at a return to Wisconsin.

Davante Adams.

“You can’t rule anything out,” Adams told Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show. “I’ve got a lot of love for all the organizations I played for, so I wouldn’t rule out anybody.”

Adams expressed the mutual love between him and Packers fans: “I don’t think I ever received so much love from fans locally.”

He also shared his thoughts on what Green Bay should focus on this offseason: “It’s looking right now like they need some receiver help in one way or the other. Maybe a veteran or something, we’ll see.”

Davante Adams also discussed Jordan Love‘s performance in the wild card weekend game against the Philadelphia Eagles. “I still believe in him as a player,” he said. “I don’t think one game can define you.”

Adams was dropping hints about his wish to have a spot back with the Packers. Gutekunst stressed a sense of urgency within the organization, and a reunion between Green Bay and Adams seems possible.

Josh Jacobs might be able to help Gutekunst in bringing Adams back.

“Our locker room is gonna be different,” Jacobs said after Green Bay’s 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “We’ve got some guys due for a contract this year. We don’t know what that’s gonna look like or how it’ll shake out, but I know I’m gonna try to get some guys here.”

With this support, Gutekunst could have more leverage in pursuing a reunion with Adams.

Adams turns 33 next December. If Green Bay trades for him, it would likely cost a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. A trade would also require the Packers to rework his contract beforehand. In the case of a hypothetical release, Green Bay could offer as low as the veteran minimum. However, Adams probably wouldn’t accept it, given his status in the league.

Christian Watson tore his ACL and won’t return until December. Green Bay’s receivers struggled against man coverage all year and could not catch the football to save their lives. Adams would immediately become the team’s No. 1 option, relieving pressure on the younger receivers.

I entered the 2024 season believing that not having a clear No. 1 receiver might benefit Green Bay’s offense. However, they clearly need a WR1. Jayden Daniels has Terry McLaurin, Matthew Stafford has Puka Nacua, C.J. Stroud has Nico Collins, and Sam Darnold has Justin Jefferson. Jordan Love needs a go-to guy.

Davante Adams has maintained a streak of 1,000-yard seasons throughout the 2020s. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t expect Green Bay to target him. However, bringing Adams back to Wisconsin seems logical with the Packers in win-now mode, even if it’s only for a few years.