Settling into the NFL as a rookie? Not exactly a walk in the park. Now, imagine making that leap with the Raiders—a team that’s been swimming in controversy and change. That’s exactly where running back Dylan Laube found himself after the draft. Between an HC hit with an NCAA show-cause penalty, the team’s underwhelming season, and a want-away star WR, it was hardly the dream setting. But instead of getting lost in the noise, Laube kept his cool. In an all-exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, he opened up about what it’s been like, especially when it comes to the drama surrounding Davante Adams.

The Adams saga is over after the Raiders traded him to the Jets and he was reunited with Aaron Rodgers. Adams requested a trade and was unhappy with how the team’s offense was doing. But Raiders HC Antonio Pierce was defiant and said that he would play once he was fit. However, things heated up when Pierce liked a post wondering whether the star wide receiver had played his last down with the team. The like was later removed from the post, but by that time the damage was done.

When we asked about what the dressing room was like during the whole Adams saga, Laube’s answer was honest but respectful. “It’s my first year, obviously, so I didn’t really talk to him much… I’m trying to put my head down and go,” he said, giving a sense of how focused he is on his own game.

He went on, “From everything I saw, it seemed like he enjoyed the place a bunch. He was a really good team player. I have nothing but good things to say about him.”  Laube didn’t have any hard feelings about Adams leaving, in fact, he couldn’t have been more supportive, telling us, “Everyone else on the team loves him too. So there’s not really much anything bad, I think it’s just really just a part of business, man it’s a part of the game.”

The first sign of Adams’ issues with the Raiders came to light when he skipped the OTAs. As his teammates got into practice under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, Adams posted a video on social of him washing his car. Then came the Netflix series “Receiver,” which highlighted his frustrations with the team.

The series covering the 2023 season captured Adams complaining after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed him on a deep ball and he took a few hits. “I got to get the f*****g out of here before I lose my f******g life. I ain’t never been hit this many f******g times in my career,” Adams was heard saying on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Laube is steering clear of any potential mess.

I mean, we can’t blame him, can we? He has to steer clear of any unnecessary attention. And we respect that. Now, you can’t help but admire how Laube handled this throughout his chat with us. Let’s be real: plenty of rookies in his shoes might have jumped at the chance to drop a hint or throw in a jab. But Dylan Laube? He’s playing it like a seasoned vet, taking the high road. But Laube’s reputation precedes him for more than his maturity.

There was no bitterness, no shade—just a guy who understands the NFL isn’t always warm and fuzzy. He even threw in some good vibes for Adams, adding, “he’s on the Jets now I hope he he does well.” He’s got the NFL mental game on lock, even amid all the chaos with the Raiders. The NFL can be brutal. But Laube is keeping his cool. Yeah, that last part is important considering all that has been going on around Raiders’ HC Antonio Pierce and Adams.

This season Adams grew frustrated with the team’s inability to sign a top new QB like Jayden Daniels or go for a more assured option in Justin Fields. Instead, the Raiders settled with Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell. Then came the bombshell, that took Raiders by surprise. After their Week 4 win over the Browns, Adams sat down with HC and informed him that he wanted a trade.

Pierce’s Instagram like on the post suggesting Adams had played his last snap for the team may have been the final nail in the coffin. Reacting to coach Pierce’s Instagram activity, Adams responded by saying, “Honestly, it’s hard to comment on. You could imagine as such. It’s one of those situations where I keep my head down and keep doing my thing, and let the chips fall where they may as it pertains to that.” The chips fell with going to the Jets as the Raiders had to give in.

Addressing the media after his trade was confirmed, Adams said while some Raiders fans may think he quit on the team, “it’s more about just being able to feel like I can … I don’t want that helpless feeling when I’m on the field.”

“Not every game is going to be a 100-yard game or 150, 200-yard game. But I want to feel like I can impact the game every time I touch the field … versus getting out there on the field and feeling like we need too many things to go right in order for me to be successful,” he went on to add.

Coach Pierce also appeared to be satisfied with the long drawn-out saga coming to an end. “Next man up, move on. He was out for the last [three] weeks, so we’re fine. … That’s how we’ve been really operating the last couple weeks,” he told media when asked about what he said to the locker room. So what does Davante Adams brings to the Jets?

As a 2x All-Pro with five 1,000-yard seasons and 96 receiving touchdowns in 10-plus seasons, he is toward the end of his high time as an elite receiver. But the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder is still a spectacular route runner with razor-sharp timing and precision. His balance, body control, and agility aid him in creating space from defenders in one-on-one matchups.

Indeed, he has lost some of his trademark quickness. But he routinely gets open, using various tricks to keep defenders guessing at the top of the route. With sticky hands and remarkable ball skills, Adams expands the strike zone for quarterbacks with his capacity to win “50-50” balls on the perimeter. No wonder that apart from the Jets, the New Orleans Saints, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Bills were also linked to Adams. So is he keeping his name with the Jets?

How is Davante Adams’ stint with the Gang Green going?

Well, he got shipped off to New York. Yep, the Jets went all in. For him, they gave up a conditional third-round pick. A small price for a reunion of old buddies: Adams and Aaron Rodgers in New York. Remember, Adams and Rodgers had eight seasons together with the Packers, building some serious chemistry. The idea was that bringing Adams into the Jets’ lineup would turn around their shaky 2-4 start. But guess what? The Jets dropped their first two games with Adams on the field.

Sure, they redeemed against the Texans to make it 3-6. But can we be honest? Not the fairytale reunion fans were hoping for. Let’s talk numbers: Adams has seen fewer targets and catches since joining the Jets. In Vegas, he averaged 27 targets and 209 yards over three games. That was in the opening weeks. Now? It’s 14 catches over 175 yards. Not impressive, but in that O-line this is a gem. Plus, even Rodgers has seen a slight boost with Adams back. His passer rating nudged up a bit from 84.4 to 88.4, so the magic’s there, even if it’s not quite clicking like before.

If you’re wondering if Adams and Rodgers still have that old Packers spark, the numbers say… maybe. Adams caught 629 passes and scored 69 touchdowns in 110 games with Rodgers. But in the 45 games he played without him? His production drops. Just goes to show, that the Rodgers-Adams connection is the real deal—even if it’s taking a little longer to reignite under New York’s bright lights.

Rodgers, though, isn’t exactly playing MVP football these days. His interception rate this season is on track to hit a career-high, and he’s pacing for his worst season by most stats. After his Achilles injury, it seems like the Jets’ gamble on this dynamic duo might not pay off as hoped. But at least, it’s something better than nothing in Las Vegas.