Jamal Adams aspires to be at the top of his game. Now, he wants to be paid like it.
It has long been clear that Adams wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid safety, which would see him making more than the $14.6 million annual salary Eddie Jackson earned earlier this offseason. But, prior to asking for a trade, Adams reportedly also wanted to be the highest-paid member of the Jets and one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. That would put Adams’ per-year average between Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley’s $17 million and Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack’s $23.5 million.
Those are absurd numbers for a safety.
Adams is swinging for the fences. But asking the Jets, or any other team, to shell out that kind of money is almost laughable. It shouldn’t be a big surprise Adams compares himself to the best players, though. When the Jets fielded offers for Adams at the 2019 trade deadline, he got angry and said, “the Rams don’t take calls on Aaron Donald… the Patriots don’t take calls on Tom Brady. That’s where I hold myself, in that regard.”
Adams is good. He’s just not Aaron Donald good. Adams has 12 career sacks in three seasons. Donald had 12.5 sacks in 2019 alone.
Even more, his position is not valued in the NFL. The top 17 highest-paid defensive players are all either defensive linemen or linebackers and the top six are all adept pass rushers. That’s an attribute every team covets in today’s pass-happy NFL and why Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett will likely become the next 2017 first-round pick to earn a long-term extension before Adams, the sixth overall pick that year. Adams can rush the passer – he blitzed the 10th-most times this past season with 90 – but he only finished with 6.5 sacks.
Cornerbacks are even paid more than safeties. The Eagles’ Darius Slay – the highest-paid defensive back – ranks 18th in average annual salary at $16.7 million, while Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones ranks 20th at $16.5 million. Jackson’s top safety contract ranks 33rd. Adams would need to eclipse all three of those players to reach his desired mark.
This isn’t to say Adams couldn’t be the exception to the norm. He’s a bonafide stud safety and is definitely one of the best defensive players in the league. He proved in 2019 he can make plays all over the field after he tallied 6.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for a loss, seven batted balls and two forced fumbles.
Oddly enough, Adams’ contract demands sound eerily similar to fellow Jet Le’Veon Bell, who held out the entire 2018 season looking to become one of the highest-paid offensive weapons in the NFL. Bell didn’t just want running back money – a notoriously devalued position, too – he wanted wide receiver money after proving his ability as a dual-threat running back in Pittsburgh. Similarly, Adams likely wants to be paid like a defensive back and a pass rusher after his second consecutive Pro Bowl season and first All-Pro nod.
All of these desires could be a ploy to force the Jets to trade him, though. Adams, who still has two years left on his rookie contract, reportedly won’t ask for an extension from a select collection of teams, according to Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins. That lends credence to the theory he just doesn’t want to play for the Jets anymore after a nine-month period of hostility between the two sides full of trade rumors and minimal contract talks. Adams’ wish list includes the Cowboys, Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs Texans, Seahawks, 49ers and Buccaneers – all of which are poised for successful 2020 seasons.
Only a few of those teams could reach Adams’ contract demands, so it looks like Adams wants one of two things: Either to be paid like a top defensive player or to play for a top contender. Adams could get both if the Jets get sick of dealing with his negotiation tactics, but it would be surprising for any team to shell out top-dollar for a safety with two years left on his contract. However, a team that is one player away from competing for a Super Bowl could jump at the opportunity to acquire a young star like Adams.
Maybe that’s all he wanted all along.