Packers’ worst Davante Adams nightmare just became reality

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams said he won’t play on the franchise tag, thus threatening a training camp holdout should he not receive a long-term contract.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has long said the end goal is to sign Adams to a long-term contract that makes him the highest-paid player at his position in football. What that means, in terms of expectations for Adams’ new deal, remains to be seen.

Reports have suggested Adams will eventually receive a contract in the realm of $30 million per season. Yet, the number of years, incentives and the rest are all negotiable, right?

Still, Adams decided to ramp up the pressure, telling the Packers he won’t play on the tag. The two sides also remain far apart on that aforementioned contract.

How much will franchise tag pay Davante Adams?

The franchise tag contract for Adams amounts to one year and just over $20 million. So, that’s a substantial downgrade from what any long-term contract would feasibly pay him.

It’s understandable, then, from Adams point of view that he will not play on said tag if it’ll pay him around $10 million less than he hopes to make on a long-term contract.

Can the Packers afford Davante Adams?

At the moment, it’s not so obvious.

With free agency underway, the Packers have already signed Preston Smith and likely have more decisions on the way. Aaron Rodgers contract — whatever it may be — will be significant.

However, as we’ve seen with Gutekunst in the past, he finds creative ways to get under the salary cap. Adams’ new contract isn’t a slam dunk just yet, but the Packers want to avoid distractions as best they can in Rodgers’ last few years with the team. Expect Adams to get his money — just not this very second.