Jets & Jamal Adams At “Stalemate” In Extension Talks, Trade “Very Possible”

Update:

Rich Cimini of ESPN confirms that contract talks between the Jets and S Jamal Adams are at an impasse, which has raised tensions between the two parties.

According to Cimini, the two sides have had multiple conversations since the draft, but New York prefers to wait on a long-term extension while Adams prefers to get a deal done before the start of the season.

Adams’ camp is reportedly upset and claiming the Jets are “dragging their feet.”

Cimini says the possibility of a trade was raised on Wednesday in the conversations, but there are conflicting accounts of how serious those talks were.

A source tells Cimini that the Jets remain intent on signing Adams to an extension and have no desire to trade him. However, Adams is open to a trade if his contract demands aren’t met.

According to Cimini, more than half of the league has reached out to the Jets to express interest in Adams.

Adams is under team control for the next two years, which is likely why the Jets don’t feel a sense of urgency to get something done now. One other issue is the possibility of the salary cap being impacted by the ongoing pandemic.

Cimini says Adams is believed to be looking to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL, topping the $14.6 million per year the Bears are paying Eddie Jackson.

Gary Myers reports that the Jets have given no indication that they will sign S Jamal Adams to an extension this offseason and they prefer to wait to make a decision regarding the All-Pro safety.

According to Myers, Adams wants a new contract now and the stalemate has “caused friction” between the two sides.

Sources tell Myers that a trade involving Adams is “very possible” and half of the teams in the NFL are expected to call the Jets.

Myers can’t see any team trading for Adams without a long-term extension in place.

Last month, Jets GM Joe Douglas told reporters that they plan to connect with Adams and his representatives after the draft regarding a possible contract extension.

Douglas said that while they don’t plan to trade any players, he will listen to trade offers for Adams if a team calls.

“The plan is going to be to connect with Jamal at some point after the draft,” Douglas said, per Ralph Vacchiano. “But going into this draft, my intent isn’t to move any players. But if a team calls we’re going to have conversations.

“My plan is to keep Jamal here a long time.”

The Jets at least entertained the idea of trading Adams before the deadline last year, but New York opted to hold on to him. Adams reportedly wasn’t happy that his name had come up as a potential trade candidate last year.

Adams, 24, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2017. He just finished the third year of his four-year contract worth $22,256,084, which includes a signing bonus of $14,326,244.

The Jets exercised Adams’ fifth-year option before the draft, which will cost them $9.86 million for the 2021 season. This figure is guaranteed for injury only and won’t prevent them from working on a long-term extension in the next year or so. 

In 2019, Adams appeared in 14 games for the Jets and recorded 75 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, one recovery, two defensive touchdowns and seven pass defenses.

We’ll have more regarding the Jets and Adams as the news is available.