Former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams, who starred in a controversial divorce with the New York Jets in 2020 that resulted in one of the most significant transfers in franchise history, longs to return to New York.
I would love to go back to the Jets and, obviously, finish it the right way. It would be a dream come true, just to repair that relationship and somehow make things right.
Jamal Adams
Adams, 29, expressed his desire during a conversation with Jets fans on the X platform.
The player, who is currently a free agent after his time with the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions after four years with the Seattle Seahawks, is seen as a valuable asset to the team, especially in this period of renewal under the direction of the new coach, Aaron Glenn.
Adams expressed his intention to contribute his experience as a veteran, sharing knowledge with the young players and contributing in every way possible.
I know I can still play football. I am healthy and I know I can impact the game in many ways. I just need that fair opportunity to get in and show what I can do.
Jamal Adams
Selected in the sixth global position in 2017, Adams established himself as one of the emerging talents in the NFL, being twice selected for the Pro Bowl and named All-Pro in 2019.
The relationship between Adams and the management, led at that time by former general manager Joe Douglas, deteriorated when Adams made his dissatisfaction public and requested a trade in June 2020.
A month later, he was traded to the Seahawks in exchange for first-round picks in 2021 and 2022.
The Jets used those picks to acquire guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Adams signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Seahawks, but injuries limited his participation to only 22 games in the following three years, leading to his release.
Adams admitted regrets about how he handled his exit from the Jets, which generated the rejection of the fans.
My biggest regret is that Joe Douglas and I never spoke. We never spoke on the phone once. We never spoke in person once before this trade happened. And that’s where I wish I could go back, because I can’t speak for him, but I didn’t do it the right way at the time.
Jamal Adams
Adams revealed that he contacted Douglas a year ago to apologize.
Glenn, who was the Lions’ defensive coordinator, knows Adams well, who was part of the team’s roster for a month at the end of last season.
The Jets continue their renewal process, and recently released 37-year-old kicker Greg Zuerlein, who had a season with poor results.
Zuerlein’s errors in the final quarter were significant in three defeats, and he was ultimately placed on injured reserve due to a knee issue.
Releasing Zuerlein saves the team $2.4 million in cap space.
The Jets also parted ways with kicker Thomas Morstead.
A competition for the kicker position is expected during training camp, with Anders Carlson competing against Missouri rookie Caden Davis.
To fill Zuerlein’s vacancy, the team signed defensive end Michael Fletcher, an undrafted rookie.
