The Kansas City Chiefs were seemingly out of the running to make a potential trade for disgruntled star wide receiver Davante Adams for all of the obvious reasons. Rivalry, money, compensation. However, the Las Vegas Raiders’ willingness to play ball could eliminate some of the issues the Chiefs would face in a potential pursuit of the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Adams.
The Chiefs might need weapons for Patrick Mahomes. They could lose Rashee Rice for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. He is still undergoing further testing. But the players behind him do not inspire much confidence beyond rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy.
As usual, whether or not the Chiefs can even make a splash trade largely comes down to the money.
Insider Sheds New Light on Potential Blockbuster Chiefs Trade
Chiefs ‘More Likely to Get Involved’ With Trade for Davante Adams if Raiders Pay
“Teams like Buffalo and Kansas City are all monitoring the situation and are more likely to get involved if the Raiders are willing to take on some of the money, per sources,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on X on October 3.
Russini previously reported on the challenges the Chiefs would face beyond playing in the same division as the Raiders.
It was about the money then too.
“Keep in mind, money is a big factor for teams looking to trade for Davante Adams. He is owed $13.5M for the rest of the season. (That will drop by $970K per week.),” Russini posted on X on October 2. “This is why teams like the Chiefs aren’t (and can’t) go full throttle to land the star.”
The Chiefs were not among the teams that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported have either contacted the Raiders or are of interest to Adams.
Rapoport also reported the Raiders will do what is best for them, not as Adams wishes.
“New York [Jets] is where the Raiders star wants to play after informing the team on Monday he prefers to be traded, multiple sources say. But Adams has not demanded as much from Las Vegas,” Rapoport wrote on October 3.
“While the Raiders could trade Adams to the Jets, they will do what’s best for their organization, sources say, including taking the best deal from the highest bidder. While players generally have some semblance of control — in this case, Adams would have to rework his contract to facilitate a trade — he is not in total control of where he ends up.”
Rapoport reported that the Raiders are seeking “at least a second-round pick” as compensation for Adams in a potential trade.
There is also a belief in some circles that the Raiders will pay a portion of Adams’ salary.
“With Raiders receiver Davante Adams due to make $983,333 in salary each week plus $30,000 for each game in which he’s on the active roster, his remaining compensation could create a cap issue for a team that trades for him. Moreover, the new team might believe the balance due is more than it wants to pay,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on October 2.
“As a result, some believe that the Raiders might end up paying some of the money in order to facilitate the trade.”
Adams is in Year 3 of a five-year, $140 million contract.
Proposed Chiefs Trade Aims to Land Davante Adams
Adams has $16.9 million in guaranteed salary in 2024 and carries a $25.3 million cap charge. There is no guaranteed money on his contract after the 2024 season. But Adams has cap hits of $44.1 million in 2025 and $45.1 million in 2026.
If the Raiders are willing to pay a significant portion of Adams’ salary, the Chiefs have the draft capital to make the deal work. That is even if they have to overpay.
This Sports Events Guide trade prosal aims to land Adams in KC:
Chiefs get:
- Davante Adams
Raiders get:
- 2025 second-round pick
- 2025 third-round pick (via TEN)
- 2026 6th-round pick (can become fourth-round pick with playing time Super Bowl win)
Adams, 31, has gone over 1,000 yards receiving in four straight seasons and five of his past six campaigns dating back to his Green Bay Packers tenure. He has recorded double-digit touchdowns four times in that span, leading the league twice (2020 and 2022).
However, the Chiefs have $4.8 million in cap space for 2024, per Over The Cap. OTC projects just over $27 million in space for KC in 2025.
That is why they would need the Raiders to eat some of the money on Adams’ deal.
The Chiefs can create cap space by restructuring contracts. Safety Justin Reid is an extension candidate in the final year of his deal. They can restructure Adams’ deal too if they trade for him. There are a lot of moving parts before a deal could come together, though.
Rapoport reported that a deal is unlikely until next week at the earliest. Adams has also dealt with a hamstring injury that cost him Week 4 and will cost him Week 5.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
