The day after their big duel on Monday night, the Bills and the Jets still had blows to exchange. Just hours after the Jets acquired wide receiver Davante Adams, the Bills responded by landing Amari Cooper. The race to the top of the Eastern Division of the American Association promises to be captivating.
• Also read: The Patriots finally have hope for a better future
At first glance, the Bills have the upper hand over their rivals with a 4-2 record, including their victory against the Jets, who are struggling with their 2-4 record. The fact remains that the fight is not over.
Has Aaron Rodgers slowed down from his peak? Certainly! Is it good for scrap? Certainly not! And by getting Adams from the Raiders for a third-round pick, the Jets are giving their quarterback a receiver he knows extremely well.
Adams spent eight seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay. The 40-year-old pivot could close his eyes and know exactly where his accomplice is on the pitch. It’s this kind of chemistry that he took time to establish with young Garrett Wilson, even if the latter is starting to have success with Rodgers.
Of course, Adams will soon be 32. He slowed down in Las Vegas last season and this start of the season, far from being a competent quarterback. However, in his first season in Vice City in 2022, when Derek Carr was on board, he shined with 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Everything suggests that there can still be magic between the two great friends. This will be necessary, since Rodgers now has everything on his Santa list at his disposal in New York.
The Jets were sort of forced to go with Adams. On the one hand, because Rodgers has never hidden his interest in reconnecting with his favorite receiver. On the other hand, because they don’t have the luxury of being patient with a 40-year-old quarterback who has made no promises for next year.
Whether the momentum produced a home run or a bad fly, it had to go. They chose to take the Rodgers gamble and might as well go full or half.
Cooper in Buffalo
For the Browns, receiver Amari Cooper finished last season with 72 receptions for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns. – PhotoAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Less talked about is the Bills’ trade, which sent a third and a seventh pick to the Browns for Amari Cooper. It’s still a hard blow.
The 30-year-old receiver was gradually disappearing into the Browns circus, but he had to deal with a quarterback who has settled more lawsuits (24) than he has thrown touchdown passes (19) since his arrival in Cleveland .
Cooper and Josh Allen will have to be given some time to get used to it, but the Bills need a true number one in their receiver group. Khalil Shakir is developing well, but he doesn’t have what it takes to fill this role. Rookie Keon Coleman is showing flashes, but the Bills are contenders for major honors and need to attack now. Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins are depth players, nothing more.
At the time, the arrival of Davante Adams would have more of an effect on the Jets than that of Cooper on the Bills. By the end of the season, however, the Bills will congratulate themselves on their audacity. Cooper will face Josh Allen at the top of his game and help the team capture division honors.
And in the meantime, what will the Chiefs do? Will they get DeAndre Hopkins from Tennessee? Diontae Johnson in Carolina? Mike Williams in New York? The hunt has only just begun.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT: Broncos 17 Saints 20
IN THE WORLD OF THE NFL…
Russell Wilson returns
Somewhat surprisingly in Pittsburgh, it appears the Steelers will turn to veteran quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday against the Jets. With Justin Fields starting this season, the Steelers are now 4-2. Fields looked good with five rushing touchdowns, but he only threw five touchdown passes. Head coach Mike Tomlin did not confirm the change, instead saying he was taking it all into “consideration.” Wilson, who has been dealing with a calf injury since training camp, is healthy and taking reps with the starters this week in practice.
A miracle in San Francisco
Just 44 days after being shot in the chest, 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall returned to practice Monday. The first-round pick in the last draft was shot by a 17-year-old during a robbery attempt and the bullet passed through his body without damaging any vital organs. The 49ers therefore have a 21-day window to decide whether they wish to reintegrate him into their lineup and head coach Kyle Shanahan has not announced a return to play date.
The Super Bowl in Atlanta
Photo AFP / GETTY IMAGES
The owners of the 32 NFL teams gathered in Atlanta, as part of the league meetings, and took the opportunity to confirm that the Super Bowl would return to Atlanta in February 2028. This will be a fourth presence for the final game in the capital. from Georgia. The city was the scene of Super Bowls 28, 34 and 53. This will be a second presence at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after the Patriots’ victory against the Rams in February 2019. In order, the next editions of the high mass of the NFL will therefore take place in New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
