Davante Adams’ first season outside of Green Bay meant a lot to the Raiders wide receiver in more ways than one.
In a new interview with The Ringer, Adams spoke about his successful first year in Las Vegas — where he caught passes from a quarterback not named Aaron Rodgers, but from his former Fresno State teammate, Derek Carr — and how his play can silence the suggestion he needs a certain four-time league MVP to thrive.
“Now people can’t say that,” Adams said. “That’ll never be the narrative ever again.”
Adams, who spent the first eight years of his career with the Packers before being traded to the Raiders in March 2022, finished last season with the most receiving touchdowns in the league (14), and a career-high in yards per reception (15.2).
The 30-year-old wideout also earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
“A quarterback doesn’t make me. … I make me. And I can do it consistently at this level,” Adams said.
“That’s why [last] season meant a lot. Even if I went and played like dog s–t next year, they can’t say it. Because now I’ve already proved it throughout the course of a season, played every game, and put together a résumé that says I do not need…”
Adams then said after a pause, “You can erase all the numbers. You can just write in: He didn’t need Aaron Rodgers.”
Although Adams himself had a stellar year, the Raiders finished third in the AFC West at 6-11 and missed the playoffs.
What’s more, the team also benched longtime quarterback Carr before his eventual release in February.
Raiders brass then signed former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million deal in free agency.
With much change happening within the organization, Adams told The Ringer he’s focused on “patience” and “controlling what I can control.”
As for Rodgers, he too is embracing change this offseason as he prepares for his first year with the Jets.
The Packers traded their franchise quarterback to New York last month in a long-anticipated move, immediately launching the Jets into the postseason conversation.
Adams and Rodgers, 39, will reunite on the field this season — albeit, opposite sides — when the Raiders host the Jets on “Sunday Night Football” on Nov. 12.
