Former Steelers LB Is Disillusioned With The Idea Of A Davante Adams Trade: "I Don't Wanna Say The AB Drama But..."

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has performed better than most expected to start the 2024 season. They are sitting at 3-1 and lead the AFC North after losing their Week 4 contest to the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, the Steelers' offensive line has been ravaged by injuries. This is especially critical because the new Arthur Smith offense heavily depends on support from the line. 

During the 2024 offseason, the Steelers traded away wide receiver Diontae Johnson. This led to extensive talk about Pittsburgh possibly working out a trade deal for Brandon Aiyuk to partner with George Pickens, but he re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Pickens is head and shoulders above the other receivers on the depth chart, with 20 receptions for 284 yards so far this season. The disparity and lack of quality targets have led to the media linking the Steel City to every receiver who is even a remote possibility. This includes DeAndre Hopkins and now Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Many analysts felt that the Raiders would look to cash in on the talented receiver if the team got off to a slow start. Right now, Las Vegas is 2-2, and it is becoming increasingly obvious there is tension between the six-time Pro Bowler and the franchise. 

On Monday, Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce apparently liked an Instagram post that implied Adams has played his last snap with Las Vegas. Then Adams joined Kay Adams on her show, Up & Adams, and said that he hadn't even talked to anyone from the team. That comment from him just fueled the fire that Adams wants out. 

Former Steelers linebackers Arthur Moats and Terence Garvin discussed the potential of Adams joining the Black and Gold. Moats asked Garvin while on The Arthur Moats Experience if he would want Adams in Pittsburgh. Garvin said that the talent is impossible to ignore, but he has concerns about the chaos.  

"I think you always want that," admitted Garvin. "That's a superstar. That's arguably the best route runner in the league. So you always want that, you're never against that. You put that with a George Pickens that's nasty, that's elite, that's nasty nasty. They over there competing and Davante was the big piece, like we're over here trying to win. That just sounds like it's drama. I don't wanna say the AB [Antonio Brown] drama but... that just sounds like that. The star player who's not happy in the building. So meh."

Moats said he could understand why Adams would be upset. After all, it isn't just anyone liking this post about him leaving; it's your leader, the coach, who is supposed to have your best interests at heart. Apparently, Adams agrees because, according to Ian Rapoport, he has now formally requested to be traded out of Vegas. 

Headed into the 2024 season, Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Adams as sixth out of the top 32 receivers in the league. Despite being 31 years old and slightly declining in 2023, they feel he has a lot of gas left in his tank. They also attributed the reduction in performance in 2023 in large part to his quarterback situation. He had 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Steelers Players Already Lobbying For Devante Adams

Steelers hybrid running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson must have heard the rumors about Adams possibly coming to Pittsburgh and thought it was a good idea. He took to X to comment on the Up & Adams post about the trouble between Adams and the organization and wrote, "Sounds like he wanna be a @Steelers." 

The real question will be exactly what the Raiders demand in return for Adams and what the Steelers will be willing to fork over for an excellent route runner at the end of his career. 

Do you think the Adams trade is drama? Click to comment below.

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