Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says that the trade that sent Packers star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason ‘surprised’ him, during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show this week.
Rodgers went on to say that he believed that his return to the Packers would prompt the two-time All-Pro wideout to work out a new deal with the organization to stay in Green Bay as well, adding that he had communicated with Adams prior to making his return to the Packers.
“It was a little surprising with Davante, obviously when I made my decision, I was still thinking he was going to come back,” Rodgers said during the show. “I was very honest with him about my plans, and my future, and where I saw my career going, as far as how many years I want to play. But, I felt like he was going to be back, didn’t obviously turn out that way but I have so much love for ‘Tae and appreciate the time we spent together and definitely wish him the best in Derek [Carr] in Vegas. But that’s a big hole to fill.”
Adams landed with the Raiders who then inked him to a three-year, $150 million contract extension.
The Packers went defense during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday night, and general manager Brian Gutekunst said that he would not force a pick of a wide receiver on Friday, when Green Bay will have two second round picks, and one third-rounder.
“I don’t think we have to,” Gutekunst said. “I think there’s some really good receivers left in this draft and we’ll kind of see how it plays out. We have nine picks left, so we’ve got a lot of ammunition. Whether we stick and pick or move around, we’ll kind of see how that goes.”
While Rodgers says the Packers will miss Adams, he stated it’s just nature of the business.
“It’s a tough business, it’s a wonderful profession. Those of us who have been [able] to play for so long realize that completely,” Rodgers said (h/t ESPN). “There’s a lot of things that happen that surprise you, even still. I thought that based on the number that we offered Davante and being able to play with me for a few more years would make a difference, but in the end I think he was ready to move on and wanted my help in making that happen.
“It was a tough position to be in, for sure, because I love him and I care about him and I want him to be happy, and he’s definitely going to be missed.”
