AFC Notes: Jamal Adams, Jets, Browns

Jamal Adams

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes that if S Jamal Adams isn’t extended this year, it could result in another flare-up of conflict and Adams requesting a trade. 
• Though the team technically still has two more years of contractual control plus a franchise tag, Cimini says Adams will want to become the NFL’s highest-paid safety at a minimum. 

Jets

• Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com says Adams’ agents can make a case for topping Jets LB C.J. Mosley‘s $17 million per year deal, as the team has called him the “heart and soul” of the defense and was asking for a blockbuster return at the deadline. 
• Rich Cimini expects both sides to be content waiting until after free agency, as it will give the Jets a clearer financial picture and potentially move the safety market higher for Adams. 
• Cimini points out only four defensive players in the current CBA — Patrick Peterson, J.J. Watt, Luke Kuechly and Robert Quinn — and not even Aaron Donald signed extensions after their third season, meaning Adams might have to wait until 2021 whether he likes it or not. 
• SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano lists eight players on the Jets who could become cap casualties this offseason, including CB Trumaine Johnson, LB Avery Williamson, WR Quincy Enunwa, G Brian Winters, CB Darryl Roberts, DT Steve McLendon, C Jonotthan Harrison and WR Josh Bellamy.
• Cowboys CB Byron Jones, Panthers CB James Bradberry and Eagles CB Jalen Mills are potential top free agent options for the Jets. (Connor Hughes)
• New York could also target Patriots G Joe Thuney and Lions G Graham Glasgow to shore up the offensive line. 
• Conversely, Hughes doesn’t see the Jets making a big push for Titans OT Jack Conklin.
• Other targets include Rams DE Dante Fowler, Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue, Falcons LB Vic Beasley and Buccaneers WR Breshad Perriman.
• Hughes anticipates there being room to fit contracts for both Adams and fellow S Marcus Maye when Maye needs a new deal after 2020. 
• Unless the Jets end up being the highest bidder, Hughes sees CB Brian Poole leaving for another team in free agency.

Browns

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he “absolutely” expects Odell Beckham Jr. to be back with the team for the 2020 season.

“Absolutely,’’ Haslam said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Odell is extremely talented. He was hampered by the groin injury. Listen, he could have done some things better and we could have done some things better. I think Kevin [Stefanski] is very excited to have Odell on the team. The surgery went well, he’s rehabbing and we look forward to having him and being a big, big producer for the team this year.”

Browns’ new HC Kevin Stefanski said he met with Beckham and has “full confidence” that the receiver is committed to their program. 

“My meeting went well,’’ Stefanski said. “Not to get into too many specifics, but we talked about a lot of topics. And then, you know, commitment is shown over time. So I have full confidence in Odell. I’ve spoken to him a couple times. Have met with him face to face and really looking forward to getting to know him more, him getting to know me and then getting him in this scheme, getting him around the coaches and then see where we go.”

Stefanski said he would also like Kareem Hunt to return for next season as well. 

“I think I certainly want Kareem and Odell on the team this year,’’ Stefanski said. “Yes, they’re players I believe in. Again, two different situations, but to lump them together, I would put them with all of our players. There’s a standard that we’ll set and that we’re going to ask of them to adhere to those standards.”