Before Jamal Adams asked to be traded by the Jets, he was looking to be the team’s highest-paid player, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
It was clear that he wanted to surpass Bears safety Eddie Jackson as the highest-paid safety in the league at $14.6 million per year. But it also appears he was looking to out-earn teammate C.J. Mosley, who makes $17 million annually.
Adams asked the Jets for a trade on Thursday. Per ESPN, he has a list of seven teams that he prefers to be dealt to. The list includes six playoff teams from last season and his hometown Dallas Cowboys.
However, the Jets have no intention of trading their star safety at this time. General manager Joe Douglas has publicly stated that he wants to make Adams a “Jet for life”. But with two years left on Adams’ rookie deal and the salary cap possibly plummeting next offseason, the Jets feel no rush to sign Adams right away.
It’s a tricky situation between the two sides. Adams has established himself as one of the best safeties in the league and deserves to be paid like one. The Jets, however, still have many holes on the roster and are better off not making a long-term financial commitment just yet. That’s why Douglas has been handing out short-term deals this offseason.
Eventually, Adams is going to be paid top dollar whether it’s from the Jets or some other team. But for right now, unless the Jets give in and decide to pay Adams or honor his trade request, he’s set to make $3.5 million in 2020.