When Jamal Adams played for the Jets, he wanted a contract extension before the 2020 season. Now that he’s been traded to the Seahawks, though, Adams doesn’t seem too concerned with getting that long-term deal just yet.
Before the Jets and Seahawks agreed to send Adams and a fourth-round pick to Seattle for two first-round picks, a third-round pick and safety Bradley McDougald, Adams agreed he’d play this upcoming season for the Seahawks on his rookie contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Peliserro.
Adams has two years left on his rookie contract after the Jets picked up his fifth-year option. He’s scheduled to make $3.59 million in 2020 and $9.86 million in 2021. It has been reported that Adams wanted to be paid like a top defensive player in the NFL and at least the top safety, meaning he’d command an annual salary between $15.6 million and $20 million. The Jets were unwilling to give in to Adams’ contract demands this offseason, though general manager Joe Douglas did say he wanted to make Adams “a Jet for life.”
Adams didn’t want to wait, though, and requested a trade in June. He listed eight teams – including the Seahawks – he preferred to be traded to. It was reported then that he wouldn’t necessarily ask for an extension immediately if traded to one of those teams.
A source also says there are certain teams Jamal Adams is willing to be traded to where he won't request a contract extension, at least right away.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) June 18, 2020
Well, Adams got his wish and now that report appears true.
On its surface, it’s a damning indictment of Adams’ feelings toward the Jets organization. He spent the offseason berating the organization that drafted him because they wouldn’t pay him and went so far as to publically rip Douglas, Adam Gase and owner Woody Johnson in a three-day period this past week. But now that he isn’t in New York, he’s suddenly okay with waiting for an extension.
So either Adams felt enough money could quell his displeasure with playing for the Jets, or he never wanted to play for New York in the first place and used the failed contract negotiations as a leverage tool to be traded.
Either way, he’s no longer the Jets’ problem anymore.