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New York Jets Release Davante Adams: Los Angeles Chargers Most Likely Destination?

As the New York Jets crumble at the end of the Aaron Rodgers era, could former Oregon Ducks and current Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert get some of the receiver help he needs? The New York Jets released NFL great Davante Adams.
Ally Osborne|
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after the game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after the game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksLos Angeles ChargersNew York Jets

The New York Jets are moving on from their quarterback Aaron Rodgers era with the release of wide receiver Davante Adams. However, the Jets' loss could be the gain of the Los Angeles Chargers and former Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert.

Adams, who was a longtime friend and teammate of Rodgers, was released after a trade did not materialize with his salary cap set at $38.3 million. Adams also revealed at the end of the Jets' 2024 season that his allegiance with the Jets largely hinged on Rogers' future with the franchise.

So how does Adams' departure from the Jets' work in the Chargers' favor? It's no secret Herbert and company need more receiver targets for the young quarterback. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Adams' preferred new teams include the Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the San Francisco 49ers. As a California native, any of those franchises puts Adams closer to home.

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) holds onto the ball as he is taken down by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Sp
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) holds onto the ball as he is taken down by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights (48) and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht (97), Sunday, December 22, 2024, in East Rutherford. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Furthermore, as seen on Adams' Instagram, the veteran wide receiver is already in California, enjoying time with his family at Disneyland.

"While the assumption has been that Davante Adams wants to play with Aaron Rodgers (and historically, that's been the plan), my understanding is the pull of being on the West Coast is very real," NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport posted on social media.

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The Chargers' pass offense ranked 19th in the league during the 2024 season and Herbert averaged 227 yards a game (his lowest in his five season in the NFL) due to the lack of targets in the backfield. Beyond rookie Ladd McConkey, Herbert didn't find too many consistent connections. In fact, Herbert's season total of 23 touchdowns is the second lowest of his professional career, only eclipsed by 20 the year prior.

Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) jogs off the field during the game ag
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) jogs off the field during the game against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

In his 2024 season with the Jets, Adams totaled 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns off 85 receptions. Throughout his 12 seasons in the league, Adams has racked up five season with over 1,000 recorded yards and six seasons with double-digit touchdowns.

Adams has the skills in a receiver Herbert needs, and the Chargers have over $60 million in cap space to spend. Plus, with Rodgers rumored to be heading to Adams' former franchise, the Las Vegas Raiders, its unlikely Adams will follow.

Chargers' coach Jim Harbaugh spoke on Herbert's talents during a media availability for the NFL Combine on Pro Football Talk. The coach glowed about Herbert, despite his struggles in the 2024 season.

"I've never been around a competitor quite like him," Harbaugh said. "Some great ones (I've been around) but no doubt in my mind that Justin Herbert is not only one of the great quarterbacks in the NFL today but truly one of the great quarterbacks of all time. That's from daily, weekly, monthly, and now it's been one year being around him. I can confidently say that there's nobody that brings more to the organization than Justin Herbert."

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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