Davante Adams is set to return to the NFC in 2025 after signing a two-year, $44 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams that includes $26 million in guarantees. The six-time Pro Bowler recently revealed that a different NFC West team, the San Francisco 49ers, expressed interest in bringing him in at a discounted rate.
Speaking to Michael Silver of The Athletic, Adams stated:
“I was entertaining the Niners, but they were like, ‘We’re paying wholesale. We ain’t paying retail.’ I didn’t talk to them, but that’s what my agent told me — like five times, that quote. And I was like, ‘OK, well, I’m not a wholesale-type dude.’”
Adams revealed that he believes he is at the top of the game and has been there since 2018. 49ers general manager John Lynch responded to his claims on Tuesday.
John Lynch Responds To Davante Adams
John Lynch met with the media on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft later this week. He discussed Adams’ recent quote that the franchise wanted to pay him at a wholesale price, stating:
“Yeah, [49ers vice president of football communications] Corry [Rush] made me aware of that quote and I saw the quote and it said his agent had told him that. That wasn’t me. I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Davante. That didn’t line up. He’s on a divisional rival. We’re going to have our work cut out covering him and playing against him. He’s a really good player. If there was any disrespect taken, none was intended.”
Lynch was asked if he was sure the comment didn’t come from Kyle Shanahan, responding that he is sure and the 49ers head coach doesn’t talk to agents. It is unclear who made the remark, however, Adams will likely use them as fuel as he faces San Francisco twice a season.
Playing At A High Level
The three-time first-team All-Pro continued to play at a high level in 2024 despite missing three games. He finished the year with 1,063 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 85 receptions. The Rams’ offense finished the season ranked as the league’s 11th-best unit, according to PFN’s Offense+ metric.
While the 49ers ranked ninth in the same category, they will have a different look in 2025 after trading Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk’s status for Week 1 remains up in the air after the 2023 second-team All-Pro wideout tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7.