Raiders' Davante Adams Has 'Earned' the Right to Voice Opinion, Josh McDaniels Says

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels isn't taking issue with All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams questioning the direction of the franchise.

According to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez, McDaniels said Thursday that Adams has "an opinion and a voice because [he's] earned it," before adding:

"And I respect the hell out of anything that [he] would say or suggest or anything like that. During the course of the process of trying to improve our team, which I know where Davante comes from, he's a competitor. He wants to win, and that's really his sole focus and that's what he does here every day. He's here pushing himself, pushing his teammates. He's been a tremendous leader again this spring for our football team."

Adams recently said the following to Mirin Fader of The Ringer in an apparent reference to the Raiders releasing quarterback Derek Carr and replacing him with Jimmy Garoppolo: "[The front office] think this is the best bet for us right now to put us in a position to be urgent. We don't see eye-to-eye on what we think is best for us right now."

After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, Adams was traded to the Raiders last offseason in large part because of his desire to play with Carr, who was his college teammate at Fresno State.

Adams put up massive numbers during his time in Green Bay, and he was named both a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2021, topping 100 catches and reeling in double-digit touchdowns each year.

Then-Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was NFL MVP in 2020 and 2021, and Adams' spectacular play was a big reason why.

It was uncertain whether Adams would be able to replicate the success he had in Green Bay once he was traded to Vegas, but he didn't disappoint.

Adams was named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro for a third consecutive year, and he had one of the best statistical seasons of his career with 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Most of that production came with Carr throwing him the ball, but the Raiders benched Carr for the final two games of the season after getting eliminated from playoff contention.

Although Carr was the Raiders' all-time leader in passing yardage and passing touchdowns, they released him when the season ended and replaced him with Garoppolo in free agency.

While Carr was fairly productive during his nine seasons with the Raiders, they made the playoffs only twice during his tenure and did not win a playoff game.

Garoppolo hasn't put up numbers like Carr, but he reached the Super Bowl during the 2019 season and the NFC Championship Game in 2021 with the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners also made the NFC Championship Game last season, although Garoppolo was injured and did not play in the postseason.

Meanwhile, Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency, perhaps making them the team to beat in the NFC South in 2023.

Adams seemingly would prefer for Carr to still be the Raiders' quarterback. But if Garoppolo can click within McDaniels' offense, the Raiders have the talent to be a potential playoff contender next season.