Davante Adams only arrived at the New York Jets last week, but he’s already lighting a fire in the locker room.
The star wide receiver was acquired via trade only five days before the week 7 game and walked straight into the offense, reuniting with old friend and teammate Aaron Rodgers.
Adams walked straight into the New York Jets offenseGetty
Adams was expected to make an immediate impact, but his debut didn’t quite go to plan.
He was held to just 30 yards in a devastating 37-15 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the highlight of his night was a touchdown-saving tackle on cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr after the rookie picked off Rodgers.
The Jets have now slipped to 2-5, losing four straight in a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations.
Post-game, Adams made his feelings clear about the events that unfolded on Sunday night, delivering what Rodgers described as “the realest speech I’d ever heard in a locker room in 20 years.”
He was upset by what he perceived as a “dead sideline” and decided to speak his mind.
On Wednesday, Adams detailed the motivation behind his speech, revealing that he wants to be a leader in the locker room and help change the culture that he walked into.
“There was a lack of energy and urgency out there, and it was apparent,” the former Las Vegas Raiders wideout said.
“I played on teams that have that winning culture, and basically I just took a moment to let them know I had reservations about speaking up too early and being too vocal too early.
“But I felt like in my mind, I said, ‘F that, because we don’t have time. I have to do whatever I have to do to help the team move forward.’
“So in my mind, it was something where I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if I didn’t speak up on it.”
Adams was keen to speak up in the locker room after the Jets were dominated by the SteelersGetty
Adams went on to say that the reaction to his message was positive, and he went on to praise the talent on the Jets’ roster.
“You know, [I] got a lot of good feedback. It wasn’t a big ‘rah-rah’ thing. It was just more to bring awareness to it,” he said.
“Because a lot of these guys in here haven’t been anywhere else where they’ve won and have had that urgency it takes in order to be a good team.
“So, you know, this team being so talented roster-wise, it’s just a waste to have everybody out there and you know to have a dead sideline like that.
“Breece [Hall] can catch a ball and go 60 [yards], and we can’t feed off none of the energy. And those type of plays are supposed to be contagious for the rest of the team.”
His speech got a seal of approval from Rodgers, who knew the message was needed after another disappointing defeat.
The Jets were dominated by the Steelers in week 7Getty
“I just could feel like Tae’s about to say something,” the quarterback recalled.
“And then he started talking and everybody that was in that locker room felt it. I drove home with him after the game and just told him I’m proud of him of what he said in that moment.”
Adams, who made the playoffs in six of his first 10 NFL seasons – all with the Green Bay Packers – arrived in New York with the hopes of a future playoff run.
If the Jets are to make that a reality this year, they need to turn things around quickly. They have missed the playoffs for 13 straight seasons, the league’s longest active drought.
They face the New England Patriots, who have a record of 1-6 themselves, in a must-win game on Sunday.
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, join us from 6pm on talkSPORT2 on Sunday as the New England Patriots host the New York Jets
Catch on the latest from around the league with our dedicated YouTube channel – including our weekly Rundown review show