NFL Reports: Finally, Raiders’ Antonio Pierce Speaks on Davante Adams Trade, What Led to….See Details

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce told reporters on Monday that he doesn’t know how the situation between Davante Adams and the team devolved to the point that the veteran wideout requested a trade last week.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think you’ve got to ask Davante that.”

While it’s unclear where Adams’ discontent began, it isn’t a new phenomenon. He wasn’t thrilled with the team’s quarterback play last season and even ended up on the trade lock, though he ultimately wasn’t dealt.

3x All Pro WR Davante Adams addresses his HC Antonio Pierce liking a post suggesting Adams will be traded…

"I haven't heard from him (Pierce)… I don't really know exactly what that's all about."@heykayadams @tae15adams @Raiders pic.twitter.com/xMusj9nMFx

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 1, 2024

Then this season, Pierce appeared to like a post on social media that said Adams could be done in Las Vegas:

Adams said he didn’t know what was going on with that situation and hadn’t heard from him in the aftermath:

Since then, a number of reports have suggested that both sides have been mulling a trade, though it was only recently that the Raiders began openly engaging in the possibility. Adams reportedly has requested to be dealt.

If he’s traded, the Raiders are reportedly seeking at least a second-round pick and additional compensation, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Without Adams on Sunday, the Raiders managed just 215 yards passing through the air and benched Gardner Minshew following two interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six to Patrick Surtain II in a 34-18 loss against the Denver Broncos.

“It definitely swung the game,” Minshew told reporters regarding Surtain’s pick. “And obviously I can’t do that to our team, put us in a bad spot. That swing was definitely on me. … I thought we got off to a good start, and then I killed our momentum with the pick-six.”

Aidan O’Connell didn’t fare much better in relief duty, completing just 10-of-20 passes for 94 yards and an interception himself.

The Raiders, now 2-3, have a quarterback situation on their hands. They will be losing their best offensive player if Adams is indeed granted his trade request, which at this point feels like a foregone conclusion.