Aaron Rodgers evidently wasn’t the only missing piece for the New York Jets.
Apparently, Davante Adams might be the guy who’s needed to complete a Super Bowl puzzle that hasn’t been solved in nearly 56 years.
Rodgers and what's unmistakably his offense were responsible for yet another largely uninspiring performance Sunday in London – a 23-17 loss to the still-undefeated Minnesota Vikings that couldn’t be casually dismissed by first-game jitters for the legendary quarterback on his surgically repaired Achilles or wet and windy Meadowlands weather that’s bound to rear its disruptive head again in the future.
Nope, this was largely disjointed play from a unit that just can’t seem to get in sync. Yet.
If only gifted wideout Garrett Wilson could slide into a WR1A role, where he might not have to be reliant on those oh-so-tough back-shoulder catches that Rodgers and Adams turned into an art form during eight years together with the Green Bay Packers. If only Allen Lazard, another former Packer who’s seemed like Rodgers' most trusted target this season, was in a WR3 role and drawing dime backs instead of nickels or even top corners. If only the costly drops weren’t so prevalent. If only Rodgers wasn’t resorting to throws a four-time MVP typically doesn’t make – like targeting tight end Tyler Conklin amid end-zone triple-team coverage – an indication a player who's often been risk-averse during his 20-year career is pressing.
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If only there was someone to settle Rodgers, who missed numerous throws Sunday, regularly displayed his unmistakable frustration, often held the ball too long behind a still-jelling offensive line – exposing what seems an increasingly frail lower body and in the face of a ferocious Vikes pass rush – and threw his third interception (tying a career-high, one a crushing pick-six) on what still might have been the game-winning drive in the game's final minute. But he foolishly opted to test former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore with another low-percentage throw, on third down no less, to Mike Williams – a player on the comeback from ACL reconstruction with whom Rodgers has had little time to build chemistry and hardly looked ready for this opportunity.
"We're playing below our potential," said Rodgers afterward.
"Too many mental errors. Just too many mistakes in general. That's hard to overcome, and then, you know, for me, I've got to take care of the football. Can't turn the ball over three times and win in this league."
Yet that someone who can help this talented team reach its potential is out there – and pretty readily available.
If Adams’ divorce from the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t yet official, the separation is already in effect. Yes, he’s 31. Yes, he has a tender hamstring. He’s also got a four-season streak of at least 100 catches and 1,100 yards, the first two with Green Bay and in 2023 despite the Silver and Black’s lingering quarterback issues. And he has that invaluable mind meld with Rodgers that produced scores of first downs, touchdowns and wins over the years because the duo could connect almost at will outside the confines of X’s and O’s.
"I love Davante Adams. I can't wait to play with him,” Rodgers said at a celebrity golf tournament over the summer.
“Again."
But there’s basically no more time to waste in manifesting "again."
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The Jets are 2-3, which already means they need to make a steep climb to postseason – only 22.5% of teams with that record have overcome such a start since playoff expansion to 12 teams in 1990, though 11 have managed it the past three years (when the 14-team field has been in effect). Gang Green does have an extra third-round selection in next year’s draft, which should provide needed flexibility to consummate a deal with a Raiders organization hamstrung by its disgruntled star and more clearly in rebuild mode than ever. And Adams apparently wants to rejoin his buddy, but even he’ll likely need some time to acclimate to the NYJ and reacclimate to Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Asked Friday about a possible reunion with Adams, Rodgers said: "I don't know how much I can say about it.
“There's tampering. I still have a close friendship with him. We spend time in the offseason together. He's a great guy, a great player, and the rest is out of my hands."
Maybe. But it’s not like Rodgers doesn’t have a direct line to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who, like head coach Robert Saleh, is clearly under pressure to deliver – owner Woody Johnson making no bones about his expectation to win extensively in 2024.
Would importing Adams stunt the growth of Wilson, a third-year player who will soon be in line for a huge contract extension and who’s already hinted at some frustration to his limited route tree this year? Perhaps – though it might also liberate him given the likelihood he’d see so much more single coverage. Would such a move hinder the long-term future of the team at large? Perhaps – but the Rodgers-era Jets most definitely can’t afford to be one Achilles in and one Achilles out over the rest of this season and maybe next depending on how long the 40-year-old would-be savior remains with them. They need to be “all in” in a way the Dallas Cowboys just are not – and acquiring Adams, who has no contractual guarantees beyond this season, shouldn’t preclude Douglas (or whomever is running this team in a year) from keeping its foundational young core (Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson II) at least largely intact.
But if these Jets are going to maximize their promise by reaching Super Bowl 59 in the Big Easy next February, they can’t afford to wait any longer on what seems like an easy, if big, decision.
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
(This story has been updated to include new information.)
