Former Jets receiver Davante Adams had a bit of a roadblock in obtaining the No. 17 in New York after he was acquired from the Raiders last October.

At the time, then-rookie receiver Malachi Corley owned the number, and Adams had a difficult time getting it from him.

Adams explained the strange exchange on the “Why is Draymond Green Talking About Football? With Jordan Schultz” podcast last week.

“I want to wear No. 17, but I don’t want to go there empty-handed and I’m going to look out for this kid,” Adams said. “So I said, ‘Hey man, I see you got No. 17, how about I give you 17 racks cash for 17?’ So he responds and he said, ‘Hey man, it’s good to have you. Happy to have you on the squad. But I need a million.’ That’s what that boy told me. He needs a million dollars for the number. I’m thinking like he’s joking, so I’m like ‘Hahaha that’s funny like I have to talk to the media tomorrow and they’re going to ask me what number I’m wearing so I have to get this figured out tonight. I heard No. 14 is open.’

“He said ‘I’m dead-ass serious and 14 would look good on you I think…’ Long story short, I got 17. And there was no exchange of money at all once that happened. I went the route I needed to go to make that happen. The money stayed in my pocket because I felt disrespected at the time. I’m laughing about it now because it’s funny now, but at the time I was like, ’14 would look good?’ I’m like, ‘All that? Damn.’”

Adams said he ended up having a good relationship with Corley, whom the Jets selected in the third round of the 2024 draft.

Corley appeared in nine games last year, recording three catches. The Jets cut him in August and he signed to the Browns’ practice squad.

Adams played 11 games for the Jets and recorded 67 catches for 854 yards and seven touchdowns. He signed a two-year deal with the Rams in March.

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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