Aaron Rodgers says Green Bay Packers trading Davante Adams 'surprised' him

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he was «surprised» by the team trading former receiver Davante Adams this offseason, in his first public comments since signing a three-year, $150 million extension and the trade of his No. 1 wide receiver.

Speaking during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said he believed his return to the Packers would influence their ability to strike a deal with Adams and that he had communicated with the two-time All-Pro before returning.

«It was a little surprising with Davante — obviously when I made my decision, I was still thinking he was going to come back,» Rodgers said. «I was very honest with him about my plans and my future and where I saw my career going, as far as how many years I want to play. But I felt like he was going to be back, didn't obviously turn out that way but I have so much love for 'Tae and appreciate the time we spent together and definitely wish him the best in Derek [Carr] in Vegas. But that's a big hole to fill.»

In March, Green Bay traded Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2022 first-round and second-round pick. The Raiders then signed him to a five-year, $141.25 million contract that reset the wide receiver market. His departure left the Packers' wide receiver room thin — a situation exacerbated when Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed with the Kansas City Chiefs a week later.

Even with their additional first-round pick, the Packers did not select a receiver in the first round of this year's draft, something they have never done in Rodgers' 17-year career. He wasn't upset or necessarily surprised by their decision, saying he had been communicating with the team throughout the night.

The three-time NFL MVP said teams have to exercise caution