The New York Jets have reportedly not yet expressed interest in extending safety Jamal Adams.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter gave New York Jets fans a rather unpleasant scoop to wake up to this morning. Schefter reports that Jamal Adams is not expected to participate in the Jets’ voluntary virtual off-season program. The key word there is “voluntary” – so there is nothing wrong about that particular piece of information – but Schefter added in a couple more tidbits that are a bit more worrisome.
When the NFL’s voluntary virtual off-season program opens this month, Jets’ All-Pro safety Jamal Adams is not expected to participate, per league sources. The Jets have not expressed any official interest in extending Adams thus far in the off-season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2020
The Jets entertained offers for All-Pro safety Jamal Adams at last year’s trade deadline; might be a name to monitor again during draft week. https://t.co/ScBUoLoiVr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 17, 2020
According to Schefter, the Jets have yet to express “official interest” in extending Adams. Schefter also adds that Adams “might be a name to monitor” on the trade market during draft week – although that statement seemed to be based merely on the fact that Adams was reportedly shopped at last year’s trade deadline rather than on any concrete information floating around in the present.
Back in January, Adams said that he and the Jets had engaged in “small discussions,” and that he “fully expect[s]” to be extended in this offseason.
Just to clear this up… we’ve had small discussions thus far, not in detailed talks yet, just talked about it. With that being said, I fully expect to be extended this offseason. I want to be in New York! https://t.co/ecJGxIiofG
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) January 29, 2020
Of course, there is absolutely no need to put too much stock into these rumblings at the moment. There is no rush to get anything done with Adams as fast as possible, especially while everyone in the league deals with the unprecedented circumstances placed upon them at the moment.
However, it is slightly bothersome to consider the idea that Joe Douglas and the Jets may not be fully committed to extending Adams at some point. At just 24 years old, Adams already has a strong argument to be the best safety in the league.
Safety may not be considered a premium position, but Adams’ value far exceeds what most think of when they picture the old-school “safety” role. He is a jack-of-all-trades who makes an elite impact in almost any role imaginable.
As a pass-rusher, nobody touches him. Since pressures were first tracked in 2006, Adams is the only safety to record 20-plus pressures in a season – and he has done it in back-to-back seasons. He is also dominant in coverage (fewest YAC per reception allowed among safeties with at least 30 targets) and run defense (lowest missed tackle rate in the run game). You can see more numbers on Adams’ excellence at his Jet X Player Profile page.
There is absolutely no need to hit the panic button just yet, but this is a situation worth monitoring. Small seeds have gradually been planted over the past few months that hint at the potential of a contract dispute with Adams in the future. It is impossible for us to deduce whether or not there is smoke to the fire behind these reports, but regardless, the Jets would be wise to avoid overthinking things and get their generational talent locked up for the foreseeable future.
