The more things change in the NFL, the more they stay the same. Early in the 2024 season, Davante Adams asked to be traded from the Las Vegas Raiders. The New Orleans Saints needed help at wide receiver, and they had, Derek Carr, a quarterback he played with in college and in the NFL. Naturally, the Saints were considered as an option.
Now, during the 2025 offseason, Adams is a free agent searching for another team, and New Orleans still needs help at wideout, while also employing Derek Carr. However, the decision to keep Carr after his first two seasons with the team didn’t go over well with Saints fans. Many fans are ready to move on from the veteran quarterback, and find a younger QB that could develop into a franchise quarterback.
That desire, along with two underwhelming seasons from Carr, has created a rift between the fan base and the team’s QB1. The relationship could be somewhat mended, though, if Carr is able to recruit his old friend Davante Adams to the New Orleans this offseason.
Will Derek Carr be able to recruit Davante Adams to the Saints?
When Adams was leaving Vegas, he made it clear his goal was to play with one of his former quarterbacks. That ended up being Aaron Rodgers, with the New York Jets, but things didn’t go well on their reunion tour. Now, both players are free agents, and they could stay connected, or they could go separate ways.
If they go separate directions, Adams may want to give it another go with his other QB. Even if the veteran wideout wants to come to New Orleans, it’s unclear how the franchise, that’s already more than $40 million over the salary cap, will be able to pay an elite wideout. However, New Orleans has proven time and time again there’s always a way to work around a hard salary cap. Of course, the Saints won’t be able to pay Adams as much as other potential suiotirs, but maybe the power of friendship is greater than money.
Beyond the financials, Carr and the Saints would have to convince Adams that they’re a competitive team. At 32 years old, the veteran is definitely hoping to contend for a title. Joining the Saints would put the team closer to that goal, but it’s a matter of how close.
Adams joining an offense with Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill would give first-year head coach Kellen Moore the pieces for a good offense. It’ll come down to if New Orleans can offer Adams more than just that, though.