Davante Adams led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (14) during the 2025 season. The veteran proved he’s still a productive player even after difficult stints in New York and Las Vegas. By staying in Los Angeles, he received a substantial paycheck during the weekend.
Davante Adams Earns Strong Roster Bonus for 2026 Season
As part of the two-year, $44 million contract he signed in 2025, Adams was set to receive a $6 million bonus on Sunday, the fifth day of the new league year. The bonus was officially triggered, as pointed out by Michael Ginnitti from Spotrac.
“7 LA #Rams players had contract triggers vest this weekend: QB Matthew Stafford’s $40M 2026 salary is now guaranteed. OT Alaric Jackson’s $18.9M 2026 salary is now guaranteed. WR Davante Adams earned a $6M roster bonus,” the post read.
Ginnitti further wrote, “LB Nathan Landman earned a $4.45M roster bonus, and $5M of his 2027 salary is now guaranteed. DL Poona Ford earned a $3.85M roster bonus. C Coleman Shelton earned a $3M roster bonus. TE Colby Parkinson earned a $1.5M roster bonus.”
In the NFL, structuring roster bonuses on the third or fifth day of the new league year is common practice. It gives general managers enough flexibility to plan for the first days of free agency and assess whether to keep a player on the roster before a portion of his salary becomes guaranteed.
7 LA #Rams players had contract triggers vest this weekend:
QB Matthew Stafford’s $40M 2026 salary is now guaranteed OT Alaric Jackson’s $18.9M 2026 salary is now guaranteed WR Davante Adams earned a $6M roster bonus LB Nathan Landman earned a $4.45M roster bonus, and $5M of… — Spotrac (@spotrac) March 16, 2026
Another player who had an important contract trigger vest was Matthew Stafford. $40 million of his 2026 compensation became fully guaranteed, which is hardly a surprise. Stafford, who won the MVP award in 2025, confirmed in February that he was going to return for another year, prompting cheers from Sean McVay during the announcement.
Adams signed with the Rams after being released by the New York Jets. Once one of the league’s elite receivers, he had difficult years after his trade to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. Signing with the Rams and pairing with Stafford revived his career, though he still finished with 789 yards, his lowest total since 2015.
With Adams pairing with Puka Nacua, the Rams had the league’s best offense, according to PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics. Even in defeat against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, they scored 27 points, with Adams scoring 1 touchdown and finishing with 89 yards on 4 receptions.
The 33-year-old, according to reports, was involved in trade discussions regarding a possible deal for A.J. Brown. With the roster bonus now activated and Brown’s deal postponed until June, Adams will be part of the Rams’ roster for the 2026 season.
Insider Mike Florio said, “The Rams presumably were hoping to get a deal done by today, when a fully-guaranteed $6 million roster bonus came due. And the payment of the bonus likely means they’ll keep Adams and his $18 million base salary.”
He closed by adding: “Regardless, a week with a handful of interesting developments could have had two more: A.J. Brown traded to the Rams, and Davante Adams (the league leader in receiving touchdowns in 2025) traded to what would have been his fifth NFL team.”
Adams and Nacua are among the league’s best receiver duos, and for Los Angeles, keeping them together is essential for their championship hopes. With Trent McDuffie joining to bolster the defense, all signs point to a strong season in 2026.
