After the recent trade that sent All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce says it is “business as usual” for the team.
While acknowledging that Adams’ talent is irreplaceable, Pierce emphasised that the Raiders’ focus is on maximising their current roster.
He said: “Next man up, move on. He was out for the last [three] weeks, so we’re fine. That’s how we’ve been really operating the last couple weeks.
“You never replace an All-Pro receiver like Davante.
“But at the end of the day, we’re not trying to. We’re trying to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Adams had been sidelined for the previous three games with a hamstring injury, and he requested a trade on 30 September, a day after cheering on the Raiders in their victory over the Cleveland Browns to even their record at 2-2.
Since then, the Raiders have dropped two consecutive games to the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers, losing by a combined score of 66-31.
🔴📽️ Head Coach Antonio Pierce addresses the media from the Intermountain Health Performance Center. https://t.co/KwklSgnu4P
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 16, 2024
Adams, who was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Raiders in 2022, recorded 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in the three games he played this season.
Now healthy and reunited with his former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Adams is expected to debut for the Jets on Sunday night against Pittsburgh.
In the Raiders’ locker room, players seemed unphased by the trade.
“It’s like a period on a weird situation,” said receiver Jakobi Meyers, who steps into the WR1 role vacated by Adams.
“But yeah, at least now we know what we’re working with. Hopefully, everybody’s happy, and we can just make plays with what we’ve got.”
Given the Raiders’ slow start this season, there had been speculation that Adams could be traded.
When asked whether the attention surrounding Adams was a distraction, Max Crosby downplayed the situation.
He said: “I feel like it just depends on how much you put into it.
“I see a million things about me all the time, and I don’t know if you can consider that a distraction or not.
“It’s all just stuff people make up a majority of the time.
“So at the end of the day, I just wish him the best. Like I said, I’m just worried about the guys that are here and winning football games.”
