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Photo: Davante Adams' Cryptic IG Post Stirs Ravens Buzz amid Raiders Trade Rumors

Adam WellsOctober 4, 2024

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

It's been awhile since we've had to keep track of cryptic social media posts from disgruntled wide receivers, so luckily Davante Adams is here to end our national nightmare.

Adams, who is waiting for a resolution to his trade standoff with the Las Vegas Raiders, has Baltimore Ravens fans stirred up after posting a picture on his Instagram Story of Edgar Allen Poe.

Jeremy Bergman @JABergman

Davante Adams follows up his Poe-to with a quote. <a href="https://t.co/NJV51yuBAa">pic.twitter.com/NJV51yuBAa</a>

Adams followed up his initial post with a quote from Poe's short story "The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether," which NFL Network's Mike Garafolo noted is partly true because no trade is imminent and things will likely pick up next week:

Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo

You can believe at least 25% of this: Nothing is imminent with a potential Davante Adams trade. Still looking toward next week for things to potentially heat up. But this made for a fun Friday afternoon. <a href="https://t.co/HN7msT2U4R">https://t.co/HN7msT2U4R</a>

NFL insider Josina Anderson later added there's "nothing going on" with the Ravens "at this time" despite the post. Anderson noted she was also told this on Thursday.

Poe wrote the poem "The Raven" that was published in 1845. It tells the story of a distraught person lamenting the death of his love, Lenore, when he is visited by a raven.

The unnamed narrator initially questions the bird to learn more about it before asking more philosophical questions that gradually cause him to descend into madness because the raven only responds with "nevermore."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Adams' would prefer a trade to the New York Jets that would reunite him with Aaron Rodgers, but he is "open" to playing for several different teams.

The Ravens were among the other teams Adams would be willing to play for listed by Rapoport, along with the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.

One could suggest that Rodgers is Lenore to Adams, and he might be descending into madness at the thought of not being reunited with his former Green Bay Packers teammate.

Of course, the more-likely answer is Adams is doing what has become the favorite pastime for NFL wide receivers: Making cryptic posts on social media to further a trade and/or contract agenda.

It happened throughout the offseason with Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Reagor, Stefon Diggs and Ja'Marr Chase. Tyreek Hill got in on the fun this week with a post that seemed to be trolling amid the speculation around Adams.

Ty Hill @cheetah

woke up to trade news exciting

Ty Hill @cheetah

I love trolling you nut cases πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Unlike Hill, though, it certainly seems like Adams is going to be moved at some point. It doesn't necessarily have to happen right away since the trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 5.

Adams is currently nursing a hamstring injury that would impact his value if a team has concerns about his ability to play. The 31-year-old has 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in three starts with the Raiders this season.

The Ravens are a run-heavy team with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, but they could use another pass-catcher to help open things up through the air. Their top two receivers by yards this season are tight end Isaiah Likely (187) and backup running back Justice Hill (161).