Davante Adams wants a contract that the Packers can’t afford

Davante Adams’ contract demands aren’t unreasonable considering his production, but the Green Bay Packers can’t afford him at that price.

Adams wants to become the highest-paid wide receiver in football.

That’s all fine and dandy, but given Green Bay is $40 million over the salary cap and dealing with some uncertainty in regards to Aaron Rodgers’ future, they likely cannot afford to give Adams the $30 million per year necessary to ink him to a long-term deal.

Brian Gutekunst has other motives in mind, and a more cost-effective way to keep his roster in tow would be to franchise tag Adams. That price comes in below the $30 million Adams wants.

Can the Packers afford Davante Adams?

Adams and Rodgers could team up elsewhere if the star wideout is not retained, but that’s out of his control. There are several factors at play, one being it’s almost entirely up to Rodgers. Should No. 12 force a trade to the Denver Broncos, Adams would be open to joining him.

Rodgers knows this, and has indicated that the two have discussed playing together no matter where the destination.

“I’d like to be respectful of the organization,” Rodgers said Tuesday on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ “One decision that will be upcoming will be obviously Davante and his future with the team. There still is this thing called a franchise tag, which I don’t think ’17’ wants the franchise.”

Without Rodgers, Adams’ production could drop, and therefore his eventual asking price. But it doesn’t make sense for the Packers to trade Rodgers and then let Adams leave as well. The future Packers quarterback — whether it be Jordan Love or someone else — would fare far better with Adams as a primary weapon.

All in all, the Packers offseason is a complicated one. Ridding $40 million in cap space and still finding incremental ways to improve is not easy. Brian Gutekunst has his work cut out for him.