Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams delivered a blunt assessment of his time with the Las Vegas Raiders during a recent interview at the Rams’ training camp. Known for his precision and professionalism, Adams shared insights into what made his tenure with the Raiders challenging, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes issues that affected the team’s environment.
Training camp provided an opportunity for Adams to connect with fans and media while preparing for the upcoming season. Despite reuniting professionally with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, with whom he previously had a publicized conflict during their time in Las Vegas, Adams emphasized that those tensions had been resolved. Speaking with Scott Kaplan and Beto Duran on ESPN Los Angeles, he stated:
I love Jimmy, and it was never a personal thing, we got to catch up and get on the same page.
—Davante Adams, Wide Receiver
Adams attributed much of his frustration while with the Raiders to the team‘s internal atmosphere in 2023. The locker room morale reportedly deteriorated under head coach Josh McDaniels, who ultimately lost player support before his firing. The team’s relief after his departure was evident, as they celebrated their first victory without McDaniels by sharing cigars. Adams described the period as bleak for everyone involved:
Obviously, that was just a dark moment in all of our lives; I think all of us were pretty miserable over there.
—Davante Adams, Wide Receiver
Context of Adams’ Raiders Tenure and Impact on Team Dynamics
Davante Adams joined the Raiders in 2022 via a trade that involved the team giving up its first and second-round draft picks to the Green Bay Packers. The move reunited him with Derek Carr, his college quarterback and longtime friend, who had been a vocal supporter of bringing Adams to Las Vegas. Adams maintained his elite performance, securing his third straight first-team All-Pro honor after catching 100 passes for 1,516 yards and leading the league with 14 touchdown receptions.
However, the Raiders’ decision to release Carr in February 2023 marked a turning point. The quarterback position saw considerable changes, with Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Aidan O’Connell stepping in during the season. Adams continued to lead the team in receiving, but his disapproval of the signing of Garoppolo became public when he openly expressed his displeasure in an interview with The Ringer months later. The strained relationship and the team’s on-field struggles coincided with a disappointing 3-5 record, culminating in McDaniels’ firing mid-season.
New Beginnings with the Rams and Implications for the Upcoming Season
Before joining the Rams, Adams was traded to the New York Jets midway through the 2024 season, closing the chapter on his Raiders stint. His current situation in Los Angeles offers renewed optimism for both the player and fans alike. With starting quarterback Matthew Stafford sidelined by a back injury, Garoppolo has served as a reliable fill-in historically, but Adams’ reassurance about their working relationship can ease concerns over potential locker room discord that could have jeopardized Los Angeles’ Super Bowl aspirations.
The Rams benefit from Adams’ presence as a premier offensive threat alongside Puka Nacua, especially after losing ground due to Cooper Kupp’s injury issues in recent years. Adams now has a fresh chance to compete for a championship ring, something he has not been able to do since departing Green Bay three years ago.