It seems Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the only critical component missing for the New York Jets.

It turns out Davante Adams could be the key player needed to put together a Super Bowl-winning team that has been elusive for nearly 56 years.

Rodgers and his unmistakable offensive unit stumbled again on Sunday in London, suffering a 23-17 defeat to the still-undefeated Minnesota Vikings. The loss cannot be written off as mere jitters from a legendary quarterback returning from Achilles surgery or challenging weather conditions typical of the Meadowlands.

This performance highlighted a disjointed effort from a team that is struggling to find its rhythm.

If only talented wide receiver Garrett Wilson could step into a WR1A role, alleviating him from making those difficult back-shoulder catches that Rodgers and Adams perfected during their years with the Green Bay Packers. If only Allen Lazard, a former Packers player and Rodgers’ reliable target this season, could play as a WR3, often matched up against less skilled defenders. If only costly drops weren’t so frequent. If only Rodgers didn’t make throws unexpected of a four-time MVP, like targeting tight end Tyler Conklin in a heavily defended end zone—a clear sign that he might be pressing.

If only there was someone who could help stabilize Rodgers, who struggled to make several throws on Sunday and often showed his visible frustration. He held onto the ball too long behind an offensive line still learning to function together, exposing what looks like a vulnerable lower body while facing a relentless Vikings pass rush. He threw his third interception, equaling a career-high, during what could have been a game-winning drive late in the game. Unfortunately, in a critical moment, he tried to test former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore with a risky throw to Mike Williams, a player returning from an ACL injury and with whom Rodgers has little pre-established chemistry.

“We are not playing to our potential,” Rodgers mentioned after the game.

“There are too many mental lapses — just too many mistakes overall. It’s hard to bounce back from that. Plus, I need to protect the football better. You can’t turn the ball over three times and expect to win in this league.”

However, there is indeed someone who could help this talented team unlock its full potential.

If Davante Adams’ departure from the Las Vegas Raiders isn’t finalized, a split is already underway. Yes, he’s 31 years old. Yes, he has a nagging hamstring issue. However, he has a four-season streak of at least 100 receptions and 1,100 receiving yards—the first two seasons with Green Bay and last season despite the Raiders’ ongoing quarterback struggles. Moreover, he shares a vital chemistry with Rodgers that has resulted in countless first downs, touchdowns, and victories over the years since they can connect effortlessly outside the conventional game plans.

“I love Davante Adams. I can’t wait to play with him,” Rodgers expressed at a celebrity golf event this summer.

“Again.”

But time is running short to make that “again” happen.

The Jets currently sit at 2-3, which means they have a tough road ahead to make the playoffs—only 22.5% of teams starting at that record since the playoff format expanded in 1990 have turned things around, although 11 teams have managed to do so in the last three years. The Jets also hold an extra third-round pick in next year’s draft, which could facilitate a potential trade with a Raiders organization clearly going through a rebuild and dealing with a disgruntled star. Adams is interested in reuniting with his friend, but he may need some time to adjust to life with the Jets and reconnect with Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

When asked on Friday about reuniting with Adams, Rodgers replied: “I’m not sure how much I can say publicly about it. There are tampering rules. We’re good friends and spend time together in the offseason. He’s a fantastic player, but the rest is out of my control.”

Perhaps. But Rodgers certainly has a direct line to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, who, along with head coach Robert Saleh, is under pressure to deliver results, especially with owner Woody Johnson clearly stating his intent for significant wins in 2024.

Could bringing in Adams hinder the progression of Wilson, a third-year player primed for a lucrative contract extension and who has shown frustration with his limited routes this season? Possibly — but it could also benefit him, as he’d likely face more single coverage. Might such a decision impair the team’s long-term future? Perhaps — but the Jets in the Rodgers era cannot afford to have a team that relies solely on one player healing from an injury while another also struggles.

This season and potentially next will depend on how long the 40-year-old potential game-changer stays with the team. They must be fully committed in a way that the Dallas Cowboys are not, and bringing in Adams, whose contract lacks guarantees beyond this season, shouldn’t hinder Douglas (or whoever is team leader next year) from retaining their key young players (Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson II) mostly intact.

However, if these Jets aim to fully realize their potential by competing in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next February, they cannot afford to postpone what appears to be a straightforward yet significant decision.

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(This story has been revised with updated information.)