Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a strong push to land Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams, according to NFL insider Dianna Russini. Pittsburgh has reportedly prepared what Russini describes as an “aggressive” offer, hoping to lure Adams to the Steel City.
Adams, who is in the third year of his five-year, $140 million contract, recently requested a trade out of Las Vegas following growing tensions with the Raiders’ front office. The request followed some cryptic social media activity, including Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce liking a post hinting that Adams may have played his last game with the team.
While the Steelers are firmly in the mix, Adams has expressed a preference to reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and play for the New York Jets. Adams and Rodgers spent eight seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, forming one of the most dominant QB-WR tandems in the NFL.
Despite Adams’ potential desire to join the Jets, Pittsburgh is pressing ahead with their efforts. According to Russini, the Steelers are particularly eager to add another weapon for their offense. This marks the second time Pittsburgh has pursued a high-profile receiver this year, as they were previously interested in San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk before he signed an extension with the 49ers.
However, acquiring Adams won’t come cheap. His contract carries cap hits north of $35 million for the next two seasons. The Steelers, or any other suitor, would likely need to restructure Adams’ deal, or the Raiders would have to take on more financial responsibility to sweeten the trade offer. While Las Vegas is reportedly seeking a second-round pick in return, most league insiders believe Adams could be moved for a third-round pick, given the contract’s complexities.
As the trade deadline looms, the Steelers’ pursuit of Adams is one of the hottest storylines in the NFL. Whether Pittsburgh can land the star receiver or if Adams’ desire to reunite with Rodgers wins out, this developing saga is sure to keep fans and insiders on edge in the coming days.
