Had Aaron Rodgers decided to leave the Green Bay Packers, maybe there would have been some second thought about keeping Davante Adams at an expensive franchise tag.
The Packers probably would have ended up tagging Adams, arguably the NFL's best receiver, regardless of what Rodgers did. But when Rodgers agreed to stay in Green Bay, it was clear Adams wasn't going anywhere.
Ahead of the franchise tag deadline, the Packers decided Adams would get the tag, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
That is no surprise, but it takes another star receiver off the market before free agency.
A little less than a week before teams can start contacting free agents, the Packers tagged Adams, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave receiver Chris Godwin another franchise tag, the Los Angeles Chargers reportedly signed receiver Mike Williams to a huge extension and the Dallas Cowboys were working on a deal with Michael Gallup.
A free-agent class that could have been heavy on star receivers has already seen several top options taken off the board.
Adams might not be happy to be tagged. Lost a bit in the Rodgers drama last summer, Adams wanted a long-term deal and didn't get one. He has earned it. He has been named first-team All-Pro two straight seasons. This past season he had 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns, a year after leading the NFL with 18 receiving touchdowns. Any list of the NFL's best receivers includes Adams near the top.
It's not like Rodgers was going to come back if Adams didn't. The one-year salary for receivers on the franchise tag was set at about $18.4 million. That's a good salary, but Adams will presumably want some more added on soon.
