Stephen A. Smith blames Aaron Rodgers for not doing enough to keep Davante Adams in Green Bay: "You let one of the greatest WRs walk out that door"
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers' offense has looked pedestrian, to say the least, in the first six weeks of the season. In the Packers' 27 - 10 loss to the New York Jets, the offense had 218 yards passing and went four of 18 on third down. One reason for the lack of productivity is the absence of Davante Adams, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
On ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith said that the Green Bay quarterback didn't do enough to keep Adams on the team this season:
"But I will say this. If you're Aaron Rodgers in the Green Bay Packers, first of all, it's criminal that you let Devonte Adams walk out that door. If you're Aaron Rodgers, you want to do everything you can in your power to find a way to keep him."
He continued:
"You are one of the greatest quarterback talents we've ever seen and you let one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of football walk out that door, your number one weapon."
Smith added that the play of the young receiving core along with veterans like Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins isn't enough:
"You knew that you had a bunch of young guys that weren't ready yet and got a couple of old guys whose durability you're going to question. Randall Cobb has been open a lot more than we expected... Sammy Watkins has been out. Lazard has made plays. He's missed plays. Yes. Six drops yesterday."
Furthermore, while the Packers rank 18th in the NFL in passing yards so far this season. Aaron Rodgers hasn't been able to throw the ball down the field this campaign. When they had Davante Adams, it wasn't much of an issue.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams' time in Green Bay
In their 108 games together, Rodgers found Adams 68 times in the end zone during the regular season. This is the most to any receiver in his illustrious career. Of the Packers' receivers currently on the roster, Rodgers has thrown the most touchdown passes to Cobb with 44.
Adams had 8,121 yards receiving, on 669 receptions and 73 career touchdown catches in Green Bay. The two-time All-Pro had three seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards with the Packers. Adams led the league in touchdown receptions with 18 in the 2020 season.
Right now, Aaron Rodgers likely wishes Adams was back in Wisconsin, as the offense looks to be nowhere near what it was last season.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit First Take and H/T Sportskeeda.