Jamal Adams is one of the best safeties in the NFL. He’s one of the brightest young defensive stars in the league, and Adams wants out of New York.
The Browns have assets to offer in a trade, salary cap room and long-term uncertainty at safety.
It sure seems like a match made in heaven. But those appearances can be deceiving, and because of that, don’t expect the Browns to make a move after the young All-Pro safety.
Adams wants a new contract, but it’s not any ordinary contract. The 24-year-old wants to be the highest-paid defender in the NFL. At minimum, Adams wants to shatter the current pay scale for top-end safeties. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported recently that Adams wants in excess of $20 million per season. That’s more than $5 million above the current highest-paid safety in yearly compensation.
Making that type of demand with two years left on his contract won’t endear him to coaches or management, Jets or otherwise. How long until he wants even more? You can bet that’s a conversation Browns GM Andrew Berry and his staff will have regarding Adams.
The Browns simply cannot afford to pay Adams that kind of money if they also hope to keep Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi. Like Adams, Garrett is a first-rounder from the 2017 draft class who is expecting a massive raise two years before his contract ends. Other young Browns standouts (Denzel Ward, Nick Chubb, David Njoku, Baker Mayfield) are going to need big new contracts sooner than later, and adding a whopper like Adams’ deal would wreak some contractual havoc there.
Then there’s the matter of fit. Adams is a dynamic player, an exceptional pass rusher from the safety spot, but he will be making a scheme change. The Browns are also making another scheme change of their own with new coordinator Joe Woods. Adams does seem like an optimal fit, but the lack of on-field practices could complicate the transition. It’s another variable that plays against taking such a massive gamble this offseason.
I expect the Browns to do their due diligence and at least inquire with the Jets about what it might take to make a deal. I also expect the Jets to demand considerably more than the Browns would be comfortable to part with, especially given the hands already out for more money in Cleveland and Adams demands.