Josh Jacobs texted Davante Adams about returning to Packers
Josh Jacobs moved from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers this offseason, and the star running back hoped he could convince star wide receiver Davante Adams to return to Lambeau Field to join him.
"When I came out here ... I sent him the little eyes emoji. I said, 'You thinking about coming back?' But man, he loved it," Jacobs said, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.
Adams - one of football's premier receivers - spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Raiders during the 2022 offseason. The 31-year-old then signed a five-year, $140-million extension with Las Vegas and is under contract through 2027.
"Having Davante Adams come to the Raiders was the best thing for me ... I seen a player be great on a day-to-day basis," added Jacobs.
With Derek Carr - Adams' former college teammate - under center in 2022, the veteran wideout caught 1,516 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. However, after the Raiders parted ways with Carr during the 2023 offseason, Adams' production dropped - he finished the campaign with 1,144 yards and eight TDs.
The six-time Pro Bowler was the subject of trade speculation after expressing his frustration with the Raiders' offense multiple times in 2023. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was another former teammate of Adams who reportedly tried to recruit the pass-catcher this year.
Las Vegas is only 14-20 over the last two seasons, but there's optimism the team will improve after keeping head coach Antonio Pierce, who received support from Adams before having his interim tag removed in the offseason.
Adams - who said he's committed to the Raiders in April - recently praised Packers quarterback Jordan Love but added that he doesn't regret his trade to Las Vegas.
Jacobs signed a four-year, $48-million deal with the Packers this offseason after playing five seasons for the Raiders. He joined a promising Green Bay offense that features talented young receivers like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs, among others.
"The receiving corps is crazy, man," Jacobs said of Green Bay's 2024 wideouts, according to Schneidman. "I'm so excited just watching them. Any one of them can go at any moment."
Jacobs battled injuries in 2023 but is only two years removed from an All-Pro campaign. The 26-year-old led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 scrimmage yards in 2022.