When the New York Jets pulled off the blockbuster trade for wide receiver Davante Adams, many thought it was a short-term move for a struggling 2024 season. However, the latest twist—an adjusted contract guaranteeing Adams $11.59 million in 2025—suggests that this may be more than a quick rental. Paired with whispers that Aaron Rodgers isn’t planning to retire just yet, the Jets might be eyeing a revival in 2025.
Adams’ previous contract had no guaranteed money beyond 2024, with a $35 million base salary in 2025-26 that no team would realistically cover. By restructuring, the Jets not only secured Adams for next year but essentially committed to him as a key piece of their roster for another season. For fans and analysts, this move feels like a calculated decision to build toward something much bigger than a one-season trial run.
Jets analyst Matt O’Leary was quick to note what this likely means: “This seems to imply that Davante Adams (and likely Aaron Rodgers) will be back in 2025.” While this season has not gone according to plan, Rodgers and Adams have both made it clear that the initial vision wasn’t a half-season rental, but a long-term game plan to deliver results.
With an unexpected 2-6 record, the Jets’ playoff hopes are dim. A top-five draft pick seems more likely than a playoff run, yet Adams and Rodgers remain optimistic, hinting that their journey together is just getting started. Adams himself made it clear he’s not here for a short stint: “That’s the plan [to be here beyond 2024]. I never go somewhere in hopes of finding a new home.”
But while Adams and Rodgers are in it for the long haul, the Jets’ front office is in limbo. Head coach Robert Saleh has already been dismissed, and general manager Joe Douglas, after five seasons of lackluster results (a 29-62 record), could soon follow. With a new leadership team expected, decisions loom large: should the Jets press the reset button, or give the Rodgers-Adams era a real shot at redemption?
The answer might lie in a balanced approach. Rodgers, who turns 42 in 2025, could serve as a bridge to the next generation while still competing at a high level. The Jets, poised to snag a high draft pick, could draft a young quarterback to learn under Rodgers while competing with a reloaded roster next season.
A dual strategy—relying on a seasoned Rodgers-Adams duo while preparing a future leader—could provide a rare opportunity for the Jets. And with the reshaped contract and Rodgers’ expected return, this crazy plan might be just what they need to finally break the franchise’s championship drought.
