Jamal Adams takes his contract drama to Seattle
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Training camp is well underway for all 32 NFL teams and Jamal Adams is noticeably absent as he holds out for a new contract.
Adams has been conducting what some have described as a “hold-in” at Seattle Seahawks training camp; he is present at practices, but not participating in them, merely watching from the side.
On Sunday, head coach Pete Carroll was asked whether there’s a point at which he’ll become concerned over the amount of time Adams has missed as the contract tensions linger.
“Why would I tell you that?” Carroll responded.
That answer says more than enough about the spot Seattle is in with Adams. They have no leverage and may ultimately have no choice but to give him what he wants.
While still a member of the Jets last season, it was reported that Adams wants upwards of $20 million per season.
Jamal Adams’ future contract demands loom large in trade talks. If he wants pay among top defensive players – which one source whose team has looked into Adams believes – that’s well above $20M per year, while safety market is below $15M. Tough for a SS, no matter how good.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 19, 2020
Is Adams worth that? Most would argue that he is not. But the real question becomes whether the Seahawks have a choice. They gave up all of their leverage when they traded two first-round picks and more for him.
The biggest selling point that Adams is likely drilling home is the record-breaking season he just had as a pass rusher. Adams broke the record for sacks by a safety with 9.5 in 2020, doing so despite missing four games.
This is, of course, a valid argument in Adams’ favor, but Adams was also quite disappointing from a coverage standpoint. He posted a coverage grade of 53.1 at PFF, ranking 55th out of 64 qualified safeties. That was a huge step back from his coverage with the Jets. His coverage grade of 87.5 in 2019 ranked seventh-best at his position.
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Having the capability to post 9.5 sacks in 12 games makes Adams’ deficiencies in coverage more acceptable, but when he is asking for upwards of $20 million, that isn’t really the case anymore.
Adams, a former franchise cornerstone for the New York Jets, has been public enemy number one for fans in the tri-state area ever since he famously forced his way out of green and white over a year ago, citing a desire for a new contract as his sole reason.
It didn’t take clairvoyance from Jets fans to know that come August 2021, the Seahawks would likely be struggling with an Adams holdout of their own – and here we are.
Joe Douglas and the Jets must feel great about the fact that rather than a disgruntled Adams on the roster, they have a promising young guard on a brand new rookie contract in Alijah Vera-Tucker and an extra first-round pick in next year’s draft.
