The current extension trends in the NFL don’t exactly bode well for Jamal Adams.
While the disgruntled Jets All-Pro safety is demanding one after his third season in the league, players like Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack had to wait longer for theirs. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, from 2011-2017, only three out of 119 defensive first-round picks received an extension from the team that drafted them prior to their fourth season. Those players are Patrick Peterson, Robert Quinn and J.J. Watt. Luke Kuechly is on the outside looking in on this list because he signed his contract extension just one game into his fourth season.
Adams wants to join that short list, but the Jets have at least two more seasons of team control and do not plan on giving in to his demands. If they do trade him, Adams will likely have to wait until his fourth season for his payday.
While Gang Green figures out what to do with their star, let’s take closer look at the players who got the deal Adams is seeking.
CB Patrick Peterson
At the time of his extension, Patrick Peterson had already been a three-year starter for the Arizona Cardinals. Starting all 48 games over the course of three seasons, Peterson compiled 12 interceptions — a career-high of seven in 2012 — and added 42 passes defended.
Peterson was selected as a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons while being chosen as an All-Pro selection in 2011 and 2013. Peterson was the only rookie to be selected to the 2011 All-Pro First Team — as a punt returner. In his rookie campaign, Peterson tied an NFL record with four punt return touchdowns in a single season. He also owns the NFL record for the longest overtime punt return for a touchdown at 99 yards.
Just before the beginning of the 2014 season, Peterson signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension with $48 million guaranteed and a $15.3 million signing bonus. Since then, Peterson was named an All-Pro in 2015 and was part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.
OLB Robert Quinn
While Robert Quinn hasn’t enjoyed similar career accolades to the rest of the players on this list, the pass-rusher out of the University of North Carolina got his career off to a hot start.
Quinn didn’t become a full-time starter for the then-St. Louis Rams until 2012, when he recorded 10.5 sacks and 29 tackles in 14 starts. The next season, Quinn was named a consensus First-Team All-Pro for his efforts. In 16 starts, Quinn compiled 19 sacks, 57 total tackles, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown en route to being named the 2013 PFWA Defensive Player of the Year.
Before the beginning of the 2014 season, Quinn signed a new six-year deal worth $65.6 million, including $41.2 million in guarantees. Signed through 2019, Quinn wound up being shipped to both the Dolphins and Cowboys before signing his second mega-deal with the Chicago Bears this past offseason.
DE J.J. Watt
As a first-round pick out the University of Wisconsin, J.J. Watt broke onto the scene, starting 16 games as a rookie. Watt was named the Texans’ Rookie of the Year, compiling 56 total tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Following his impressive rookie debut, Watt became a premier pass-rusher in his sophomore season. In 2012, he finished the season with 83 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 16 passes defended, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Watt was selected to the Pro Bowl, named a First-Team All-Pro and selected as the AP Defensive Player of the Year. In 2013, Watt recorded 80 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, seven passes defended, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Just before the start of the 2014 season, the Texans handed Watt a six-year contract extension worth $100 million with a $30.9 million signing bonus and $21 million roster bonus. Since 2014, Watt has played just three full seasons due to a multitude of injuries. When healthy, he is one of the most dominant players in the sport.
ILB Luke Kuechly
Former Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly came close to signing his extension after his third season but didn’t officially come to terms with Carolina on a new deal until two days after the first game of his fourth NFL campaign.
As a rookie in 2012, Kuechly led the NFL with 164 tackles while also recording eight pass deflections, one sack, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He was awarded the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year for his efforts. Kuechly followed up his rookie season by being named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, being selected to the Pro Bowl and being named as a First-Team All-Pro. In the process, he compiled 156 total tackles, seven passes defended, four interceptions and two sacks.
In 2014, Kuechly was again selected to the Pro Bowl and named a First-Team All-Pro, recording 153 total tackles, 12 passes defended, three sacks, one forced fumble and an interception. Following Carolina’s season opener in 2015, he signed a five-year, $62 million extension. While he was one of the best players at his position, concussions caught up to Kuechly and he retired from the NFL after the 2019 season.
