New York Jets safety Jamal Adams wants a trade. The two-time Pro Bowler wants out of New York and provided a list of acceptable trade destinations.
As you probably expected, the Detroit Lions are not on Adams’ list. It’s instead populated with six teams that made the playoffs in 2019, plus his hometown Dallas Cowboys.
Adams wants to get out of New York not just to improve his chances of winning, but also to get paid. There are reports out there, including one from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, that Adams wants to be the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. That price tag is over $20 million per season.
As of now, the highest-paid strong safety — Adams is essentially a hybrid SS/LB — is Landon Collins of Washington at $14.2 million per year. Adams not only wants to top the market, he wants to blow the top off the market.
Adams has two years left on his rookie contract. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 draft is angling to be the second player from his draft class to sign an extension far earlier than is customary, following Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey. The Jets have steadfastly refused to even entertain extending Adams with that much time left on his contract, which is a major factor why he wants out.
Sometimes it can be frustrating as a Lions fan to get left out of trade discussions and desires for the hot names. In this case, be thankful there is no reported interest in Adams by the Lions or vice versa. It seems extremely doubtful he’d appreciate playing in Detroit.
If Adams isn’t going to be happy being a marquee talent in New York and is only worried about his paycheck, he’s not the kind of player the Lions, or any good team, should want. Adams is a great player but his presence hasn’t helped New York sniff the postseason and it wouldn’t do much to advance Detroit’s chances, either.
