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What a Tuesday! Before you learn everything you should know about the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper deals, let's start with a quick history lesson.

Do midseason WR trades pay off? Rarely

Big names dominated the headlines yesterday as the Jets added Davante Adams and the Bills acquired Amari Cooper. More on that below, but let's take a quick look at the history of mid-season deals.

Since 2000, there have been 34 wide receiver trades during the season. Of those, 17 included at least one fourth-round draft pick. And looking back, it didn't work out for most people. The full list:

Obviously this is difficult to pull off. From Of the 17 receivers acquired for significant capital in the middle of the season, only five were obvious successes. Well, that's not a big surprise. Receivers must understand a new playbook, develop chemistry within the offense and a new quarterback; This isn't just plug and play. Some achievements:

1. Chris Chambers averaged 55.5 yards per game for the Chargers in 2007, as they made it to the AFC Championship.
2. Braylon Edwards was a major threat for Mark Sanchez and the 2009 Jets, averaging 45.1 yards per game on a team that reached the AFC Championship.
3. Deion Branch — who was reunited with his old quarterback Tom Brady (sound familiar?) — averaged 64.2 yards per game in 2010 before losing to the Jets in the Divisional Round.
4. Amari Cooper (aka!) was the top midseason acquisition, contributing 80.5 yards per game for the 2018 Cowboys, who lost in the divisional round to the eventual NFC champion Rams.
5. Emmanuel Sanders averaged 50.2 yards per game for the 49ers in 2019, helping them reach the Super Bowl.

Despite the positive aspects that point to success for both Adams and Cooper, acquiring a talented receiver is often a gamble – Randy Moss was cut by the Vikings after four games, Roy Williams averaged less than 20 yards per game in Dallas etc. – these steps are rarely great success stories.

Given the successful precedent of pairing a receiver with their former Hall of Fame QB And With the midseason acquisition of Amari Cooper, both of these moves are promising. Let's start in New York:

Davante Adams to the Jets: What you should know

Adams lands in New York after the Jets sent a conditional 2025 third-round pick to Las Vegas.

The development took years. Rodgers has pushed for Adams since the QB arrived in New York, with GM Joe Douglas calling the Raiders at the trade deadline last year and during this offseason. When Adams requested a trade last Monday, this seemed likely.

Trading data: The conditional third becomes a second if Adams finishes 2024 as a first- or second-team All-Pro or is on the active roster for the AFC Championship Game or Super Bowl.

This is how it was done: The bulk of the trade was agreed upon before the Jets played the Bills on Monday, after New York agreed to pay (and restructure) Adams' remaining base salary of about $11.59 million. Adams flew to New Jersey that night, The athlete reported. And yes, his hamstrings are fine.

The Jets: Despite a 2-4 start, BetMGM improved its title odds from +3500 to +3000 yesterday, placing it 12th in the NFL. But as Zack Rosenblatt writes, Adams isn't the missing piece for a Super Bowl run: “He can't fix left tackle Tyron Smith (five sacks allowed this season) or the leaky run defense.” This week's matchup against Pittsburgh at 4-2 is a crucial game about getting things right.

Fantasy Implications: With Adams expected to assume the No. 1 receiver role, The athletefantasy expert Jake Ciely has downgraded Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard to WR3, while Adams is a mid-range WR2.

As for the Raiders: Is it time to rebuild? As one commentator (Shae V.) put it, they remain two drafts away from being a contender for the 20th straight year. Ouch.

For more: Jeff Howe shared his trade notes and Zack joined Robert Mays on “The Athletic Football Show” to explain why this trade could keep Rodgers for another year (at the one-minute mark).

Amari Cooper to the Bills: What you should know

We also saw the Browns trade WR Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Bills for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

Was a Cooper change inevitable? Yes, said Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson: “Cooper has been miserable with the Browns this season. He never said it directly, but it was reflected in his body language and his playing.”

The same goes for Buffalo? The Bills desperately needed a receiver who could separate himself from opposing defenses and draw attention — think Stefon Diggs without the drama — but he had to be cost-effective since they only have $2.9 million in cap space -Space was available.

How this worked: Since Cleveland has converted most of Cooper's $20 million salary, the Bills only have to pay his remaining base salary of $1.21 million. Cooper is in the final year of his contract, but as Joe Buscaglia writes, this was a home run for Buffalo.

The new bills: This move resulted in BetMGM improving Buffalo's title odds from +1000 to +900 and moving them into fourth place (behind the Chiefs, 49ers and Ravens). It's a perfect fit for Allen's offense as Cooper is a strong route runner who gets open and will now play with the best quarterback of his career.

Fantasy Implications: Cooper is the obvious WR1 in Buffalo and lands in an ideal situation to increase his value. He's back in the WR2 category and potentially a top-20 receiver, while Josh Allen is also getting a boost.

As for the Browns: The sellout begins and they must pay $22 million in cash from Coopers' contract. TE David Njoku should lead the team in targets while Jerry Jeudy serves as the No. 1 receiver. On the other hand, it means little as long as Deshaun Watson is behind center.

For more: Jeff Howe shared his trading notes.

What Dianna hears: Jerry Jones explains himself

Jerry Jones is always a popular man at league meetings. The fall owners' meetings in Atlanta were no different, especially because the Cowboys owner, after watching his team get defeated by the Lions on Sunday, had a heated exchange with radio hosts on Tuesday morning.

I was able to track down Jones for an exclusive interview yesterday, and Jones explained his semi-weekly appearance on the team's flagship radio station, 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, this way:

“If I'm going to be under scrutiny by the tribunal, it doesn't have to be from the people I'm paying,” Jones said. “I can take it from the fans and I can take it from other people… but I was a little frustrated today.”

Jones added that he still believes in the now 3-3 Cowboys – and especially in the coaching staff. When I asked if he would stay with Mike McCarthy and his coordinators: “Of course. I didn’t even remotely think about that.”

Back to you, Jacob.

Around the NFL

The Vikings have acquired RB Cam Akers from the Texans, trading a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. Houston had a conditional seventh-rounder for 2026. Akers adds depth to Aaron Jones and reunites with HC Kevin O'Connell, for whom he played with the Rams. (Read more)

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson is expected to start this Sunday against the Jets. Despite a 4-2 record, Justin Fields will return to a backup role. Mike DeFabo has more on the decision.

The Jets traded DE Haason Reddick a short window to pursue a trade amid his contract dispute with the team. Reddick also hired a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who reached out to teams yesterday. (Read more)

49ers QB Brock Purdy continues to rise The athlete's QB Stock Report, as Jeff Howe states: “It's time for perceptions to change. Purdy is undoubtedly one of the best in the game.”

Before we get started, the most clicked content from yesterday: The athlete's updated power rankings.

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(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)