When Aaron Rodgers returned from injury to the NY Jets in 2024, he looked towards his former teammate Davante Adams. The Raiders reached a mutual agreement with the receiver and he joined his quarterback in New York. In 11 games, he had 7 TDs from 845 receiving yards. But the team lost 8 of those. Four months later, we are looking at a totally different picture. After releasing the signal caller, the new HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey also got rid of his best friend. Amid the drama, new options are coming up for the 11-year league veteran.

The rumor mill is hyperactive and churned out 5 destinations, which surprisingly include his former team, the Raiders. Under new HC Pete Carroll, they want to build a Super Bowl caliber team. But there are other stipulations with this. They are also looking at Aaron Rodgers, who wants to play in the league again. He could also move to the AFC West team.

Two teams are from the NFC West, LA Rams and SF 49ers. The Rams HC Sean McVay needs new weapons at his disposal after the GM Les Snead reiterated his decision to trade WR Cooper Kupp. The situation is the same for the Niners. WR Deebo Samuel is already on his way to the Commanders. WR Brandon Aiyuk is also expected to seek a way out. So, they need some firepower. And the 32-year-old best friend of Aaron Rodgers could easily provide that.

The remaining 2 teams are the LA Chargers and NO Saints. The Saints are favorites because of the QB-WR historical connection. He played with Derek Carr in Fresno State before they played together for the Raiders in 2022. His addition will also boost any team he plays for. That’s the reason the Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh believes Davante Adams can be a vital addition to the roster. By releasing the veteran LB Joey Bosa, they have $25 million additional free cap space.

Amid all these rumors, the NY Jets are busy calculating the money owed to the duo. It’s a huge amount.

NY Jets bear loss for Aaron Rodgers’ best friend

The New York franchise was due to pay Adams $28 million in 2025. Cutting him would mean a dead cap of $8.36 million.  But the franchise is in a mood to clear the building of any shadows of the past. So not only have they released Davante Adams, they have also told the WR Allen Lazard to seek a trade before the free agency on March 12. He was another favorite of Aaron Rodgers.

On the positive side, they have cleared up a good chunk of cap space by releasing the receiver nice and early. They couldn’t trade him, stiffed by the immovable contract. The HC-GM duo is also aiming to free up $6.6 million cap space by releasing Lazard.

Not only the players, even the favorite coaches of Aaron Rodgers are on target. They have already fired the OC Nathaniel Hackett and brought in Tanner Engstrand. The message is obvious. They want to go all-in and do everything, take every decision to make them a Super Bowl contender their way. The first measure of success will be a playoff spot, something they have failed at since 2010.