With players and coaches all finally allowed in the team’s facilities, Adam Gase is excited to embark on his second season as Jets head coach.
For Gase, there have been no shortages of headlines this offseason. While Joe Douglas stepped up to the plate first to answer questions regarding the Jamal Adams trade and the team’s future, it was Gase’s turn on Tuesday. Speaking on a conference call, the Jets head coach addressed the trade, comments made by Adams himself and what some of New York’s plans for the 2020 season may entail.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Gase’s call.
Refuting Adams
While Adam Gase wishes Jamal Adams “nothing but the best” as the All-Pro safety heads to Seattle, the Jets head coach dismissed the notion that he failed to address the team during halftime of every game.
Gase responded to Adams claims, telling reporters that “it’s hard for me to address that when I know the correct answer.” Gase pointed to two likely times that Adams didn’t hear his former head coach address the team. Last year, in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Adams was in the training room during halftime. In Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens, Adams was inactive and did not play.
A win-win trade
Gase believes that Adams will fit in great with the Seahawks, calling the trade a “win-win for both sides.”
After repeated public criticism, it was best for the Jets to move on from Adams. The Jets sent Adams and a fourth-round pick in 2022 to the Seahawks in exchange for fellow safety Bradley McDougald, a first-round pick in 2021, a third-round pick in 2021 and a first-round pick in 2022.
While Gase has a reputation for alienating players, Adams made it known he wanted out after negotiations for a potential contract extension went nowhere. The Jets head coach said that, “We want guys who want to be here. Obviously, he didn’t want to be here anymore, so the decision was made to move on. It’s a team game.”
Gase added that he’s heard nothing from his players since Adams was traded.
Quarantined Quarterback?
Sam Darnold’s bout with mononucleosis in 2019 left the Jets without answers on offense.
Considering the growing concerns over COVID-19, which has led to one Jets player already opting out of the 2020 season, Gase mentioned the possibility of the Jets keeping a quarterback in quarantine during the season, though nothing is definitive.
Gase added that the Jets have a plan for the team’s 80/90-man roster, but he didn’t want to offer any details just yet.
Christopher Johnson reaching out
On Monday, Joe Douglas said that he was taking Christopher Johnson’s word regarding Woody Johnson’s denial of allegations of racism, sexism and corruption. On Tuesday, Gase essentially said the same thing but added that Christopher has been reaching out to Jets players about the allegations against his brother.
According to Gase, Johnson has been calling almost every player on New York’s roster over the last couple of weeks. That’s not surprising, as the Jets acting CEO had recently given out his personal phone number to every Jets player in order to discuss social and racial injustice issues.
Still, the allegations against the older Johnson are serious and will require more addressing than just taking the word of his brother.
Praise for Sam Darnold, Le’Veon Bell
Gase is starting to see a difference in Sam Darnold now that New York’s third-year quarterback will finally have some offensive continuity for the first time in his career.
Gase said Darnold has looked more confident this offseason, has a better understanding of the offense and is continuing to build relationships with all members of the team.
As for Le’Veon Bell, Gase is excited for what his running back can do in his second year in the team’s offense. Gase mentioned that Bell has a lot to build on from 2019 and that a better knowledge of the system and much improved offensive line should help aid a bounce-back season.
“I know this. He’s not a guy that I would ever doubt,” Gase said. “I’m excited to get him going on the field… He’s looking to prove to people that he’s still at the top of his game.”
