Jamal Adams may be trying to force the Jets’ hand, and these five teams should be ready to jump into trade talks.
This is a unique NFL offseason, with work to be conducted virtually until further notice. But it’s still notable when a star player is not in line to show up, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter safety Jamal Adams is not expected to participate in the New York Jets’ voluntary program when it opens.
Voluntary is the key word here, but Adams is heading into the fourth year of his rookie contract with a fifth-year option for 2021 sure to be picked up. The No. 6 pick in the 2017 draft, Adams has earned two Pro Bowl nods (2018 and 2019) and a first-team All-Pro selection (2019) in his career.
Adams was reportedly being shopped at last year’s trade deadline, with the Jets apparently asking for a first-round pick and two second-round picks.
The whole thing clearly did not sit well with Adams.
Earlier this offseason, Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas did what he could to publicly quell the falling out and confirm he sees Adams as a long-term piece.
That being said, talks on a contract extension don’t seem to be going yet.
Adams, for whatever it’s worth, might be trying to force the Jets’ hand a bit. “Extend me or trade me” is the easy ultimatum, as much as he may be levying one right now. In any case, Adams not participating in early offseason work can be construed as a smoke signal for other teams to come with trade offers.
These five teams should lining up suitable pieces for an offer to get Jamal Adams.
5 teams that should trade for Jamal Adams
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 29: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins in action in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins spent plenty of money in free agency, and they have five of the first 60 picks in this year’s draft (three in the first round) to add a bushel of young talent to the mix. The AFC East is more wide open than it’s been in a long time, and Miami has accelerated what looked to be a multi-year rebuild.
Xavien Howard is a top-tier (and highly paid) corner, and the Dolphins ponied up to sign Byron Jones to form a good (and highly paid) duo. But the safety spot could use a significant upgrade, and Adams would of course be as big an upgrade as any team can get.
A secondary with Howard, Jones and Adams as the primary pieces would be among the best in the NFL. Miami can also give Adams what he wants in a new contract, with the bonus of taking a division rival’s best player who is not yet 25 years old.