After officially requesting a trade on June 18th, star Safety Jamal Adams finally got his wish and will be shipped out of New York. The eventual winner of his services turned out to be...the Seattle Seahawks.
Since the trade request, Adams has been vocal about his desire to leave Gang Green, but his future with the Jets has been murky for months before the request. It started with trade rumors around the 2019 trade deadline, but as we know, the Jets held on to him. That was probably the appropriate decision on their part, considering that he earned both his second Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod (second-team in 2018, first-team in 2019). But drama would ensue again in this year’s offseason, and it would escalate to new heights.
Despite having two years remaining on his rookie contract, Adams decided to push GM Joe Douglas and the Jets’ front office for a contract extension. Negotiations between both sides went almost nowhere, as Adams himself would claim that there was a lot of talk coming from the Jets, yet no action whatsoever. Adams would eventually have enough and request a trade. Along with not getting the money that he deserves, he has been heavily critical about Head Coach Adam Gase, Joe Douglas, and Team Owner Woody Johnson. Gase and Douglas have expressed their desire to keep Adams, but it was not enough. Fast forward yesterday afternoon, the Jets made noise and finally caved into his demands, trading him to a winning ball club in Seattle.
If you haven't already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
Seattle Pays A King’s Ransom For The All-Pro Safety
First, let us talk about the monstrous return the Jets got for Adams. The official deal states that the Jets traded Adams and a 2022 4th-round pick in exchange for Seahawks’s starting Strong Safety Bradley McDougald, a 2021 and 2020 first-round pick, and 2021 third-round pick.
To get a player of Adams’ caliber, any team would have to trade a significant amount to acquire him, but boy did Seattle give up a LOT. I never gave much thought to how much it would have taken to trade for him, but at the very least, I expected a 2021 first-round pick and another mid-round pick or two. However, Seattle used TWO first-round picks, a mid-round pick, and a decent starting safety in Bradley McDougald. Yes, Seattle did get a mid-round pick from New York, and Adams will be a definite upgrade over McDougald, but the Seahawks gave up a hefty return no matter how you look at it.
When I first saw the trade, I immediately compared the Adams trade to the 2019 Jalen Ramsey trade (from the Jacksonville Jaguars to L.A. Rams) and the 2018 Khalil Mack trade (from the Oakland Raiders to Chicago Bears). For Ramsey, the Rams gave up two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. For Mack (and a Raiders second-round pick), the Bears gave up two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. Ramsey was, and still is, considered the best Cornerback in the league. While Mack was, and still is, considered not only one of the best Edge Rushers in the league, but also future Hall of Famer. I mention those two because if you carefully examine their trades, Adams brought back a more substantial return for his original team than those two did, despite Mack and Ramsey playing more valuable positions. What Adams has in common with Mack and Ramsey when they were traded is that he is elite at his position, still young (24), and could potentially have his best football ahead of him. But it is fair to argue that Mack and Ramsey were more valuable types of players.
Jamal Adams, Probably Disappointed That I Don't Consider Him As Valuable As Ramsey Or Mack
(Credit: www.northjersey.com)
In almost all cases in sports, the team in the seller role (in this case, the Jets) has the leverage and can take advantage of the team in the buyer role (in this case, the Seahawks). So it is no surprise that the Jets were able to get a little extra in return for Adams. We also saw instances of teams getting far less than anticipated for their star player in trades. For example, Houston Texans’ Deandre Hopkins, arguably the best Wide Receiver in the league, got shockingly traded out of Houston on the first day of free agency this year (along with a fourth-pick) to the Arizona Cardinals for Running Back David Johnson, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick. While Minnesota Vikings’ Stefon Diggs, who is excellent but not in the tier of Hopkins, wanted out and got traded to the Buffalo Bills afterward (along with a seventh-round pick) for a first-round pick, fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, and fourth-round pick. Anything can happen with trades, as fans (like myself) must expect the unexpected at times as we have seen this offseason. But the return for Adams’ will not only be up in debate for the time being, but it will likely serve as a future benchmark for what teams will have to pay to acquire an elite safety.
More Turmoil For New York
Headlined by the ever-so-legendary “Butt-Fumble,” the Jets have struggled to achieve relevancy since making it to the AFC Championship back in 2010. Since then, they had only one season above .500% (2015), making the last decade one to forget for the passionate Jets fanbase. In 2019, they did not have an ideal year finishing 7-9, but they were entering 2020 with promising building blocks and a Tom Brady-less New England Patriots in the AFC East.
Adams led their defense along with Inside Linebackers C.J. Mosely and Avery Williamson, Defensive End Quinnen Williams, and Cornerback Brian Poole. The offensive side of the ball has much more to prove, but having a growing, young signal-caller in Sam Darnold, star Running Back Le’Veon Bell, and a rebuilt Offensive Line should provide a better 2020 season for the unit. Both units are not stout by any means, but there was promise brewing within the team. Despite the promise, there is one major factor that I believe is holding them back from exploring their potential: Adam Gase.
Adam Gase, Already Becoming A Meme At His Introductory Press Conference In Early 2019
(Credit: Jet Nation)
The former Bears Offensive Coordinator received the Jets job after being removed from the Miami Dolphins Head Coach gig in January of 2019. Gase has always been considered to be one of the best young offensive minds in the league, but that could not help him already becoming despised by Jets fans. Even worse, some of his star players have been critical of him, too. A day before being traded, Adams’ stated that Gase is “not the right leader for the organization.” Bell, on the other hand, is believed to have a very sour relationship with Gase. But unlike Adams now, Bell is still currently on the team. Gase has been very non-committal towards his talented Running Back, and Bell took to Twitter to display his displeasure.
Knowing Gase and his relationships with his disgruntled star players would make me believe Adams saying he is not the best leader. Jets fans have gone through a headache of a decade in the 2010s, waiting for a shot to finally contend in their division. The AFC East was always the Patriots division to lose, but with Brady now away from the team, let alone the conference, the 2020 division crown seems to finally be up for grabs. Although the Buffalo Bills pose a much more troublesome threat than usual, the Jets seemed to have a potential playoff window to explore fo the first time in years. But with their best player traded away and a questionable coach at the helm, among other things, the Jets’ hopes of improvement and leaping to the top of the division sadly seems far less likely now. Unless Gase assists Sam Darnold in having himself a breakout season and a winning record for his team, I do not see the head coach in the Jets 2021 plans. Do not be shocked if he does not even make it to the end of the season with a job, too.
A Contending Seattle Seahawks Become Even Stronger
Now time to talk about the winner of the All-Pro Safties’ services. Even without Jamal Adams, the Seahawks would have entered 2020 as a Super Bowl contender. But now that GM John Schneider pulled the trigger on a deal for him, the Seahawks’ hopes of winning their first championship since their glorious 2013 season have soared through the roof.
Other than an always questionable front line, the Seahawks should have no worries with the offensive side of the ball. Led by the somehow underappreciated signal-caller Russell Wilson, another underappreciated player in Running Back Chris Carson, Wide Receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, and new veteran Tight End Greg Olsen, they should expect yet another top ten offensive campaign this upcoming season. But the defensive side of the ball lacked a legitimate spark.
With the sudden retirement of Carolina Panthers Inside Linebacker Luke Kuechly, Seattle’s Bobby Wagner should now be considered the undisputed best at his position in the league. But after the downfall of the “Legion Of Boom” that sent shivers down offensive opponents’ spines in the mid-2010s, Wagner and Outside Linebacker K.J. Wright have been the only key contributors of the team’s defense since. Specifically, the team lacked help in the secondary: Enter Jamal Adams. With promising pieces already on board, such as Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers, along with 2019 mid-season acquisition Quandre Diggs, Adams should be able to improve his surroundings and force his new defense to make a jump in 2020.
Seattle Linebackers K.J. Wright And Bobby Wagner, Celebrating What Seems Like A Turnover Against The
Dallas Cowboys (Credit: KOMO)
As previously mentioned, though, nothing can hide the fact that the Seahawks gave up more than an arm and a leg for one of the league’s best Safeties. Not to mention that Adams is craving an extension and will more-than-likely become the highest-paid Safety in the league. But no one could question what potential impact Adams could have for a defense that was starved for help. Sure, I am not oblivious to the fact that the Seahawks have questions with their Defensive Line, but the presence of Adams alone should help everyone on the defense.
You Got What You Wanted, Not Show Us What You Guys Got
There is no looking back for either side, the Jets must continue with their rebuild without their best player, while the Seahawks must focus on trying to take the crown in what should be a mighty NFC fight once again. With a high price to acquire Adams comes even higher expectations for Head Coach Pete Carroll and his squad. But it is up to them to make the most out of the move and get themselves a ring.
I have confidence in Seattle making the most of it. (Spoiler alert for my future 2020 season predictions article here...if anyone honestly cares) They were already my likely pick to win the NFC Championship before the trade, safe to say I feel even more comfortable with the pick now.
If you read through this whole article, pat yourself on the back because you are a gem. While you are at it, please feel free to let me know what you think and tap the heart icon at the bottom, if you wish.
Thank you and (even though this is not a Bears article) Bear Down!