Joe Douglas got an offer he couldn’t refuse.
That’s how the Jets general manager explained his decision to trade Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. Douglas, aware of the magnitude of dealing the All-Pro, released a statement Saturday evening in which he said, “This offer was one we could not ignore.”
A statement from GM Joe Douglas pic.twitter.com/tc8R4PJ4rr
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 25, 2020
As talented as Adams is, Douglas received a massive return in exchange. The Jets netted another safety in Bradley McDougald, a first-round pick in 2021, a third-round pick in 2021 and a first-round pick in 2022. McDougald, a starter the last few years, can play both safety positions.
The Jets also sent a fourth-round pick in 2022 to Seattle.
The Jets’ decision not to give Adams a new contract this offseason is more or less what led to his departure. Douglas had said that he wanted to make Adams “a Jet for life,” but Adams claimed a contract offer was never made. Adams, despite having just three years in the league, wanted a new deal now. The Jets, however, didn’t have much incentive to do so. They didn’t have much reason to trade Adams either — until his public bashing of the negotiations and the organization’s top decision-makers became too loud to ignore.
Adams has been vocal about his frustrations on social media for months. While the Jets and Seahawks had been discussing Adams already, he was recently quoted in a New York Daily News story blasting Douglas and head coach Adams Gase. Adams also criticized Woody Johnson this week after allegations of racist and sexist remarks were levied at the owner.
The erosion of Adams’ relationship with the Jets dates back to the 2019 trade deadline. Though he had no reported interest in dealing Adams, Douglas listened to offers for the defensive back. Douglas picking up the phone didn’t sit well with Adams, who didn’t speak to the GM or Gase for weeks before all involved remedied the situation enough to get through the remainder of the season. From there, it looked like it was still possible for Adams and the Jets to agree to a deal that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
Instead, the relationship eroded beyond repair. Now Adams is heading to Seattle, which will host the Jets in Week 14.