A veteran wide receiver showed up to his new team's facility carrying $17,000 in cash, expecting to settle a jersey number quickly. Jersey number transactions, the informal cash agreements players make among themselves to swap digits, are a routine part of NFL locker rooms. The rookie on the other end of this one set a price that stopped the deal cold.
Adams at the Jets on day one
Davante Adams, a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, was traded to the New York Jets from the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2024. He had worn No. 17 his entire professional career and arrived expecting to wear it in New York. His first day at the facility was a Tuesday, an off day, with only a couple of players in the building. He came with a backpack containing $17,000 in cash.
He found the rookie wearing the number and made his pitch: $17,000 for No. 17, plus replacement jerseys for the rookie's entire family, however many were needed, because anyone who had already bought one should not have to spend again after a number change. He also pointed to one more fact. It was Week 6. The rookie had played approximately four plays.
Adams told the story on the podcast "Bussin' with the Boys," making clear he considered the offer fair for a number the rookie had barely used.
The counteroffer and the owner's call
The rookie thanked Adams and told him he was looking forward to learning from him. Then he said he wanted one million dollars.
Adams withdrew the offer immediately and went to Jets owner Woody Johnson. He asked for No. 17. Johnson removed the number from the rookie. Adams paid nothing.
Adams did not name the rookie on the podcast. He was later identified in reporting as wide receiver Malachi Corley, who had worn No. 17 for the Jets until Adams arrived from Las Vegas.
The Jets released Corley before the 2025 season. He signed with the Cleveland Browns and remains on their roster. He does not wear No. 17 in Cleveland.