The All-Pro wideout played out the remainder of his four-year, $58 million extension in 2021, finishing third in the NFL in receiving yards (1,553) and fifth in receiving touchdowns (11). His status has been a topic of discussion for nearly a year, starting with last offseason’s drama regarding Aaron Rodgers and the future of the most important Packers, and continuing with former Fresno State teammate and current Raiders quarterback Derek Carr stoking the fire by openly admitting he’d recruit Adams to join him with the Raiders in 2022.
As any wise franchise should, Green Bay wanted to prevent such a scenario and tagged Adams at around $20 million. But Adams’ refusal to play on the franchise tag makes things more complicated, however.
Just a week ago, the Packers just succeeded in avoiding another lengthy standoff with Rodgers, agreeing to terms with Adams’ quarterback to get him to return to Green Bay on a four-year, $200 million extension that decreases his cap number for the 2022 season. Rodgers’ lower cap hit on the new deal is notable because it was manufactured, in part, to make it easier to tag Adams or sign him to a new deal without going over the cap.
Now that Rodgers is on board for another run, the Packers need to figure out a way to make both quarterback and receiver happy enough to return. At 29 years old, Adams is understandably ready to cash in for perhaps the last time in his professional career.