The Chargers' desire to upgrade their wide receiver room is the NFL's worst kept secret. It has been heavily reported all offseason that Los Angeles is in the market for a wide range of receivers both in the draft and in free agency.
There is an endless supply of big names available, and another one just joined the group after his release from the New York Jets.
Devante Adams was released yesterday in a move that saved the Jets nearly $30 million in cap space. It has long been reported that Adams and his best friend Aaron Rodgers were a package deal, but some recent reporting suggests that might not be the case.
New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams © Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images © Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
NFL Network's Ian Rapaport reported on the situation and believes Adams would like a move back to the West Coast. This echoes similar sentiments discussed by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler when he gave three California teams that Adams would be interested in playing for.
While the assumption has been that Davante Adams wants to play with Aaron Rodgers (and historically, that's been the plan), my understanding is the pull of being on the West Coast is very real. https://t.co/FpUrl43vPh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2025
It shouldn't come as a shock, but one of those teams was the Chargers. It would be the perfect scenario for the former All-Pro receiver; he would have a great quarterback, a great head coach, a great defense, and the great weather would be a bonus.
Also, the other West Coast teams are either not in a state to contend, or don't have the resources available to pay Adams.
The Los Angeles Rams have already reportedly been trying to trade Cooper Kupp, so it's hard to think they would pay another aging receiver, especially when their breakout star Puka Nacua is up for an extension soon.
Over in the Bay Area, the San Francisco 49ers have already dealt Deebo Samuel and have been having internal discussions about trading Brandon Aiyuk. The Cardinals, Seahawks, and Raiders are the only other teams on the West Coast, but they all seem to be stuck in limbo.
Essentially, if Adams' affinity for the West is as strong as reported, the Chargers are the only logical suitor. Now, they haven't openly expressed interest in the future Hall of Fame receiver, but the signs all point to the interest being mutual.
After a miserable year-and-a-half where Adams looked past his prime, he exploded to end the season where he had nearly half of his total yards in the last five games of the year.
It's clear that the Chargers outside receivers struggled last year, but Adams would completely change the dynamic. Ladd McConkey looks like a star already, so it would be hard to shift coverage to either receiver. This wasn't a player that many people thought Los Angeles would be in the running for, but if Adams picks them, it would be foolish to say no.
Related: 3 Biggest Offseason Questions Facing the Los Angeles Chargers
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This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM.