Jamal Adams’ exit will not make or break the New York Jets future

Although losing Jamal Adams hurts the 2020 season, his absence will not make or break the New York Jets’ future.

Here we go again. Another star defensive player leaving town in the middle of his prime leads to New York Jets fan therapy sessions. One might say these get-togethers resemble Tony Soprano-level sessions that showcase Dr. Melfi’s shoulder to cry on—a shoulder that would have worn down decades ago if all she scheduled were Jets fans.

John Abraham, Darrelle Revis and now, Jamal Adams—three dominant defensive players all shipped out of town in the middle of their prime years is how the Jets’ recent legacy is currently titled.

“We don’t need our star players,” might be the lead. Or perhaps, “We’re so smart we can trade anybody away” suffices for the masses who love this organization.

While that sounds tidy on the surface, the truth of the matter is a bit more complicated. It’s only the extremely dunkable Jets who receive the overextended wrath of onlookers everywhere. After all, no playoff appearances in nine seasons will have that happen quite frequently.

The fact of the matter is this: the loss of Adams will not make or break the Jets’ possible future success.

One of the top Jet criticisms since the Adams trade deal with the lack of own-drafted first-round picks. The so-called media pundits are quick to point out the Jets’ lack of first-round keepers, quick to point the finger at a team that cannot keep its own star players.

Sam Darnold, Quinnen Williams and the newly-drafted Mekhi Becton represent the organization’s only three currently rostered own-drafted first-round selections. Adams—the sixth choice in 2017—was the fourth.

Three does not sound great on the surface. In fact, it sounds horrid. That is, until, you start to compare with other (winning) organizations.