Raiders' Antonio Pierce dodges Davante Adams trade questions amid rumors
Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce was tight-lipped about Davante Adams amid trade rumors surrounding the wide receiver.
The Raiders head coach did his best to dodge the questions, opting not to address trade speculation regarding Adams during his Wednesday media availability.
“Davante is dealing with a hamstring (injury),” Pierce said on Wednesday. “He’s rehabbing, and the rest of us are focused on Denver.”
Adams missed the Raiders’ Week 4 win against the Cleveland Browns due to his hamstring injury. But his uncertain future in Las Vegas has overshadowed the nagging hamstring.
Trade speculation surrounding Adams ramped up after Pierce liked an Instagram post in which Sports Illustrated reported that Adams may have "already played his last snap with the Raiders." The Raiders head coach has since removed his like on the post.
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Adams addressed the situation on "Up & Adams" with Kay Adams.
"Let the chips fall where they may as it pertains to that," Adams said. "But there's been no communication with anybody from the team since that became a thing but it's kind of like the weekly 'what's up with [Davante]?' thing. It's always some sort of drama... [but] I'm trying to be the model for not stirring the pot and just locking in and doing what I got to do."
Adams has since requested a trade, per multiple reports.
Pierce told reporters the attention of Adams’ trade request isn’t a distraction. When asked what his message to the Raiders is, Pierce said he solely wants to focus on the on-the-field product.
“I get paid here to get ready each and every week for the opponent. I don’t blink, I don’t flinch. I’ve said it before, I’ve been through enough in my life with adversity and stuff that it doesn’t bother me,” Pierce said. “I just move forward. The next obstacle in front of me is the Denver Broncos, and that’s what I presented to my team.”
Pierce conceded that himself, Raiders owner Mark Davis and general manager Tom Telesco will together make the final call on an Adams trade.
USA TODAY Sports projected five possible landing spots for the six-time Pro Bowler. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are high on Adams’ wish list. Adams has familiarity with both Jets QB Aaron Rodgers and Saints QB Derek Carr.
Adams was teammates with Rodgers in Green Bay for eight seasons, and later traded Adams in 2022 to the Raiders. In Las Vegas, Adams was reunited with Carr, his former Fresno State teammate. The Raiders subsequently released Carr following the 2022 season and the Saints signed the QB in March of 2023.
The Raiders have a little over a month to trade the star wide receiver. This year’s NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5. It seems unlikely Adams will rescind his trade request given the public nature of the whole ordeal. Both sides appear ready to move in a different direction, regardless if Pierce wants to admit it or not.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
