Matthew Stafford knew Davante Adams well from their seven seasons facing off regularly in the NFC North when the quarterback was with the Detroit Lions and Adams the Green Bay Packers. Now that they're teammates in Los Angeles, Stafford gets to see first-hand how much easier Adams makes a quarterback's life.
"I have a ton of respect for him, the way he goes about his business and the way he plays the game," Stafford told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times on Sunday. "He's been a big-time in this league for a long time, so happy to have him. I know he's going to be a big addition to our team."
Stafford's comments came after the Pro Bowl quarterback handed out awards at the Rams Football Academy Girls' Flag Spring Classic and USA Football Talent identification camp with his wife, Kelly, and four daughters at the club's facility.
Adams is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he snapped a streak of four consecutive seasons with 100-plus catches. In 14 games with the Las Vegas Raiders (3) and New York Jets (11), Adams earned 85 grabs for 1,063 yards. He extended his streak of 1,000-plus-yard seasons to five.
The numbers might not pop off the page, and he dealt with some drop issues last year, but Adams can still get open, which will be a boon for Stafford. Adams tied for 15th among receivers in ESPN's open score last season.
The 32-year-old Adams will replace a 31-year-old Cooper Kupp in L.A. The Rams released Kupp after three consecutive seasons marred by injuries. The former receiving triple crown winner signed with NFC West rival Seattle.
"A great teammate, a great Ram -- I think everybody here knows that and can appreciate what he was for our team and what he was for this community," Stafford said of Kupp. "Happy that he landed somewhere he wanted to be and got the deal he deserved.
"I'll still stay in touch with him like I always do, and I'll pull for him as long as we're not going against each other."
