Now that the price is likely low, @ReidDHanson wonders might the Cowboys be interested in a low risk/high reward addition if Jamal Adams is cut in Seattle?
The year was 2020 and Donald Trump and Joe Biden were battling it out for the U.S. presidency. Jamal Adams, a fourth-year safety for the Jets, was growing displeased with his situation in New York. The All-Pro had become disgruntled with contract negotiations to the point of demanding a trade, and the Cowboys were one of the teams linked to him.
Adams, a native of Lewisville, TX, had Dallas on his short list of teams he’d be interested in joining. Not since Earl Thomas gave the Seahawks the bird was there such a sure thing heading to the Cowboys. And like the Thomas situation, nothing ever materialized between the two parties even when it seemed almost inevitable at one point.
It proved to be a bullet well dodged for Dallas as Thomas ended up with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, with history repeating itself with the presidential race, could the Cowboys once again be looking into Adams?
According to reports, Dallas had previously attempted to trade for Adams to no avail. Their interest was clear even if compensation appeared to be miles apart. Adams became the talk of town in Cowboys Nation.
Coincidently, it was Thomas’ former team, Seattle, who ended up winning (winning?) the bidding war, sending two first round picks, a third rounder and Bradley McDougald to the Jets in return for a fourth round pick the NFL’s next great safety.
Things got worse as time went on. After grading in the top-five in 2018 and 2019, Adams graded no higher than 53rd (by PFF) over the next four seasons. Grading 88th out 95 in 2023, Adams hit an all-time low in performance grades, paving the way to a potential cut this offseason.
Adams never looked right in Seattle’s defense and while his sack totals earned him Pro Bowl honors his first year with the Seahawks, his overall play wasn’t up to previous standards.
With a cap number of $26, 916,666 in 2024, Seattle can save $17,122,000 by releasing Adams and designating him a post June 1 cut (per OTC). At just 28-years-old, the three-time Pro Bowler seemingly has plenty of tread left on his tires. The only question is – is Adams still a car worth driving?
According to Pete Carroll, Adams was dealing with a torn quadricep all season in 2023.
It would explain his poor play to some extent but certainly doesn’t explain everything. Adams declined in all phases of the game since joining Seattle. It wasn’t a one-year regression.
Adams, typically thought of as a box player in New York, wasn’t always used in this capacity in Seattle. In 2021 he actually took more free safety snaps than box safety snaps and things looked awkward.
In 2023 Adams moved back to a predominantly box role, but plagued by a season-long injury things still looked bad. Adams had a missed tackle percentage of 15.8% (career high) and gave up a passer rating of 111.7 when targeted (also a career high).
Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys new defensive coordinator and renowned secondary specialist, could see Adams as high-end player needing a change of scenery. Or he could see a scheme-specific player who doesn’t fit what the Cowboys are trying to build in 2024.
If cut, Adams won’t command top dollar on the market so the risk in signing him would likely be low. And with so many talented safeties on the Cowboys’ roster, Dallas wouldn’t be obligated to force him on the field if he didn’t legitimately look like a good option.
A union between Adams and the Cowboys is probably a long shot but with the price likely at an all-time low, maybe a low risk/high reward agreement can be made.
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