Myles Garrett becoming the third 2017 first-round pick to earn a long-term contract this offseason isn’t a surprise. It also isn’t a surprise to see the Browns reportedly give the former first overall pick a five-year, $125 million extension with $100 million guaranteed. Garrett is one of one best young pass-rushers in the league and deserves a new deal.
What makes this signing more intriguing is how it affects Jamal Adams’ contract negotiations moving forward. Now that a top-flight defensive player from his draft class got paid, Adams will have a better argument for a new contract earlier than the Jets — or any other team — will want to give him.
Talks of Garrett’s extension surfaced about a month ago, about the same time Adams’ tirade against the Jets over a new contract kicked into full gear. He wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post about Garrett that the Browns defender deserved a lucrative deal but also took the opportunity to bash the Jets for not giving him a contract proposal. He claimed the Jets called him “selfish” and that there was “a lot of talk no action.”
A week later, Adams requested a trade. Reports swirled about his preferred landing spots, as well as his desire to be the highest-paid player on the Jets and one of the highest-paid defenders. Regardless of the validity of Adams’ demands, the Jets appear unwilling to grant him either of his two wishes.
Before Garrett’s deal, the Jets had a lot of ground to stand on between the small number of first-round picks signed before their fourth season coupled with the uncertain effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Even when only Christian McCaffrey and Patrick Mahomes signed extensions this offseason, it made sense because they’re two dynamic offensive players who score points and win games. Adams is neither – though the case can be made that he’s a dynamic playmaker. However, Garrett getting an extension is huge because he’s the first defensive player from that first-round class to sign. Garrett and Bears’ safety Eddie Jackson – who was a fourth-round pick – both set the market this offseason for their respective positions. Now, Adams can point to two players rather than one in his negotiations.
Even more, Garrett becomes the third of 10 first-round Pro Bowlers to earn a new deal this offseason. That leaves Adams, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore, Tre’Davious White and Marlon Humphrey, and Mitchell Trubisky as the only ones who haven’t signed. If the franchise-altering players are signing this offseason, count Adams as among those who should be included. Watson, Watt and White, too.
Adams is in a weird spot, though. He’s among the best of the 2017 draft, a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro in only three seasons, and has proven to be an invaluable leader. However, the biggest knock against Adams’ demands is his position.
Defensive backs don’t make exorbitant amounts of money relative to the rest of the league. Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is the highest-paid defensive back with a $16.8 million annual salary. That ranks 19th-highest. Safeties are paid even less. Eddie Jackson’s record-setting deal only pays him $14.6 million annually. Adams, to his credit, is an all-around safety with the ability to affect the run game, passing game and can rush the quarterback. But to think a team will pay him more than $17 million a year and up to $20 million per year is tough to fathom given the history of paying the position.
Adams won’t earn as much as Garrett, who’s $25 million annual salary makes him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. But, at the very least, Garrett getting a deal before his fourth season helps Adams’ case when it comes to convincing a team to sign him before the 2020 season.