NBC Sports’ Peter King is anticipating an “ugly and drawn-out” divorce between star safety Jamal Adams and the New York Jets, unless the organization gives him the payday he wants.
The NFL and players’ union reached an agreement last week regarding details of a virtual offseason for teams in light of the global coronavirus pandemic, and ESPN reported that the All-Pro safety is not expected to participate in the voluntary program.
In the “10 Things I Think I Think” portion of King’s latest “Football Morning in America” column, the longtime sportswriter predicts where Adams’ tumultuous relationship with the franchise that drafted him sixth overall in 2017 is headed — and Jets fans should look away.
“I think I get the sense Jamal Adams does want to leave the Jets, and his long-term future will be ugly and drawn-out, unless the Jets quickly really overpay him,” King wrote. “It’s just another reason why first-year GM Joe Douglas deserved the six-year contract he got from the organization. He’s used to working in places where players are eager to play, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The Jets might become one of those places, but they’ve got to win some games first.”
Douglas previously shared his desire to make Adams a “Jet for life.” It’s also known that the organization entertained offers for the 24-year-old at last year’s trade deadline.
Douglas said during a Monday conference call that nothing has changed regarding him wanting to keep Adams and he plans on connecting with the safety after NFL Draft 2020 for contract talks. The GM reiterated he’ll listen to offers but he has no intention of moving players ahead of the draft.
Tensions grew during the season following reports that the Jets listened to offers for Adams from the Cowboys and Ravens. Adams took to Twitter to voice his frustrations, claiming the Jets went behind his back and put him on the trade block. Speaking to reporters the next day, Adams admitted he would’ve been OK with being traded to Dallas and stated that he wasn’t ready to speak with head coach Adam Gase or Douglas.
All parties eventually cleared the air, but indications of Adams’ unhappiness with the team continued to surface — like when he took the Jets out of his Twitter and Instagram bio.
Adams is scheduled to make $3.5 million in 2020, a year after he was named to his first All-Pro team and made his second Pro Bowl. The Jets can pick up his fifth-year option in 2021 and opt to franchise tag him in 2022.
