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Jamal Adams of the New York Jets has requested a trade. Adams has said that he would like to be traded to a competitor, clearly viewing Gang Green’s aspirations for a title to be unrealistic. Quoted in an Instagram post, Adams claimed:
“It’s time to move on. …no hard feelings. Nothing but luv.” – Adams on Instagram.
This is obviously a huge blow to Head Coach Adam Gase and GM Joe Douglas and everyone with more than a passing interest in the New Jersey based franchise. Douglas will not want to be held to ransom, but the harsh reality is that the AFC East team cannot afford to be distracted by a disgruntled superstar in what is a long-term rebuilding project. The additional draft picks that could be recouped from a trade for Adams may outweigh the hassle and toxicity of an ongoing feud between all parties.
Adams truly is a superstar performer. Per Bleacher Report, Adams and JJ Watt are the only players in NFL history with 200+ tackles, 10+ sacks, 25+ pass breakups in their first two seasons in the league. This shows the value of Adams’ impact at all three levels of defence.
Just in the 2019 season alone, Adams accrued 75 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 13 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and a pick-six in just 14 games played. The superstar strong safety also scored two non-offensive touchdowns.
The 2017 top-10 pick has averaged 91 tackles over three seasons, and he has 12 sacks and two interceptions in his career. He is owed roughly $3.5 million this season (base salary of $825,000 and a roster bonus of $2,765,292, and then $9,860,000 in 2021 when/if the Jets pick up his fifth-year option.
Adams has listed seven teams who he perceives as contenders who he would prefer to be traded to: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
There is no certainty that the Jets will consummate a trade but let us look at the hypothetical contenders for his services in case such a blockbuster were to occur. (Tampa Bay has since emerged as a potential destination, but the Bucs have little current cap space and so have not been considered as part of this exercise).
