The Pittsburgh Steelers had fans extremely worried after an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. A 30-7 defeat was extremely concerning after a strong and impressive preseason. The team, however, has since bounced back winning two games in a row versus a division rival in the Cleveland Browns and another conference foe in the Las Vegas Raiders. The most recent victory came on Sunday Night Football and while the offense still wasn't perfect, the team as a whole put together the best performance of 2023 yet. They will look to build on the momentum in Week 4 against the Houston Texans.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6610-544x306.jpg "Steelers Mike Tomlin")
Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin stands on the field and watches his team at practice during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: JSKO_PHOTO)
Although Pittsburgh captured its second win on the season in Las Vegas, the overall product on the field was far from perfect. The running game on offense was only able to muster up 3.4 yards per carry and while the defense had three interceptions, the secondary was torched throughout the contest by star wide receiver, Davante Adams.
Adams was the top target for quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo and hauled in 13 total catches that went for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He was the sole reason that the Raiders were able to stay in the game until late in the fourth quarter. The Steelers defensive backs couldn't keep up with him for the majority of the game and the three-time All-Pro made them pay.
Some of the best players in the game are not just worried about individual stats, however. Adams has been one of the best pass catchers in the league since a 2018 season in which he had 1,386 receiving yards. He is also used to winning as he has appeared in a postseason game in six of the nine professional seasons he has played in prior to 2023 beginning.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, Davante Adams (#17) runs through the Steelers defense on a play that saw one of his game-high 13 catches in Week 3 of the 2023 season. | Photo Credit: Chris Unger / Getty Images
Could The Steelers Beating The Raiders Start The Process Of A Potential Adams Trade?
Adams had a great game in the important statistical categories, but wasn't pleased after the contest with the outcome. The loss to Pittsburgh had him visibly frustrated and it was obvious when he spoke to the media in the locker room afterwards. Perhaps the most glaring comment was when he insinuated the loss to the Steelers officially has him anxious about his future. Losses like this, even when he dominates personally, are unacceptable and it seems like he wants more help.
"I don’t want to act like it’s all crazy; it’s Week 3," Adams said. "But I don’t got time to wait around. It’s not a personal thing. I mean, it is a personal thing, but it ain’t just about me. It’s not my mentality to try to sit here and take all season to figure it out."
Sure, Pittsburgh's defense didn't contain him, whatsoever, but maybe that's why his comments are so telling. He doesn't want to have to carry this team on his shoulders. His original arrival in Las Vegas was linked to playing and reuniting with his former college teammate, Derek Carr. Now that the signal-caller has moved on and is with the New Orleans Saints, Adams may already be fed up with his time in Sin City.
Losing is frustrating, especially for a competitor like Adams, but even after he did almost everything right on Sunday, his team couldn't come out with the win. He is a veteran on a mission to win a Super Bowl, and it was wondered in the 2023 offseason if a trade might have possibly been on the table. A loss against Pittsburgh in primetime has now officially fueled that fire once again.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, Davante Adams (#17) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter in a game against the Buffalo Bills. Photo Credit: Joshua Bessex / Buffalo News
It's very easy to be down on yourself and the team you play for when winning isn't happening consistently enough. Las Vegas struggled at the end of 2022 and now has had a relatively rough start in 2023. The Steelers may not have shut down Adams and forced him to despise football as a whole, but very easily could have him thinking that the rest of his teammates are easily held in check during games. If the Raiders continue to struggle, he may look to have a new home by early November.
Do you think the Steelers dominance over everyone except Adams on Sunday night is causing him to rethink his playing situation? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
