Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are set to stay the Rams’ top two receivers in 2026. Based on the team’s conversations on the trade front, though, that was not at all times guaranteed to be the case.
During an appearance on PFT Live on the annual league meeting, general manager Les Snead confirmed the team engaged in trade calls with the Eagles about A.J. Brown. Los Angeles has long been a known Brown suitor, with the identical also being true of the Patriots. As Snead noted, the Rams were never near acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.
“We chatted with Philly, nothing worked out,” Snead said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “There have been talks, we had discussions, didn’t work out. That happens.”
Within the event discussions with Philadelphia had resulted in a Brown trade, a corresponding move would have involved Adams. It was reported earlier this month Los Angeles contemplated trading Adams, something head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Monday. McVay also noted (via Dianna Russini of The Athletic) the team remained involved with Adams while trade discussions were happening.
“We actually talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and the way it’d affect Davante,” McVay said (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). “If we felt prefer it was best for our team, we might have done that. But we didn’t think it was best for our team.
“There’s numerous stuff that’s on the market that’s not accurate, but when there’s no less than some accuracy or some thought to it, you ought to cope with that direct, honest and open. And there’s been instances where I wasn’t nearly as good about that in previous years, and so I don’t have the desire to make those self same mistakes.”
Adams joined the Rams on a two-year deal last offseason, a move which was useful for all involved. Taking up a big role within the team’s post-Cooper Kupp offense, Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches. He received a $6MM roster bonus roughly two weeks ago as a part of his $24MM in compensation for the 2026 campaign. Trading away the 33-year-old would have yielded considerable cap savings (thus making a Brown acquisition far more feasible from a financial perspective), but as a substitute Adams will prepare for a second Rams campaign.
Brown continues to be in place with the Eagles, although speculation a couple of trade in his case continues. A move ending his Philadelphia tenure could happen after June 1 given the financial advantages of waiting beyond that date within the team’s case. Based on Snead’s comments, the Rams shouldn’t be expected to circle back on the Brown front. Similarly, Adams may be expected to stay within the fold after his future was uncertain.