New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas says his plan is to “connect” with Jamal Adams after the NFL draft is complete.
The noise remains constant. Joe Douglas does as well.
On a Monday pre-NFL draft conference call, the New York Jets general manager continued to preach his static line regarding Jamal Adams. Only this time, he provided a bit of a nugget of a timeline.
“I think once we’ve gotten through free agency and the draft, our next step is to get together as a group and our plan is to connect with Jamal (Adams) sometime after the draft.”
Joe Douglas on Jamal Adams:
“I think once we’ve gotten through free agency and the draft, our next step is to get together as a group and our plan is to connect with Jamal (Adams) sometime after the draft.” #Jets— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) April 20, 2020
Adams, 24, has been in the news lately. Entering the third of a four-year deal that includes a fifth-year team option, the best safety in the NFL wants to get paid. He deserves to get paid.
Unfortunately, that’s just not the way the NFL works.
Rookie contracts (since the massive overhaul post-Sam Bradford) allow general managers incredible value when a player blossoms into a stud, even at the first-round level. Adams has done just that yet his cap hit will total just $7.172 million in 2020 (far from the best safety contracts in the game).
At the NFL combine, Douglas announced his organization’s intention that is making Jamal Adams a “Jet for life.” At the same time, the man continues to take calls on him. This is fine. This is big-boy business. But it’s also much tougher to navigate the New York media market this way.
When asked if he was “hedging” his actions, Douglas responded in a short and to the point manner.
“I don’t do this ‘hedging;’ I’m just doing my job,” Douglas said.
"I don't do this 'hedging;' I'm just doing my job," Joe Douglas answering a question involving possible "hedging," in how he wants Jamal Adams to remain a Jet yet continues to pick up the phone. #TakeFlight
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) April 20, 2020
When pressed on the Adams situation, Douglas avoided answering a question that dealt with Adams sitting atop the player salary chart based on his play.
"I'm not going to touch that one," Joe Douglas responds to whether or not he believes in a meritocracy, thinks Jamal Adams should be highest-paid player on the team. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) April 20, 2020
“I’m not going to touch that one.” Joe Douglas said.
The NFL draft is slated to kick off this Thursday night with Round 1 in “virtual” fashion. From now until then, the biggest question will revolve around No. 11; will they go offensive tackle, wide receiver or look to trade back?
Once that smoke clears, the Jamal Adams topic will come back in full force until a resolution hits the newswire. Based on the facts, that may not happen for a long time.
