Jets trade safety Adams
Disgruntled All-pro to Seattle for Mcdougald, 2 1st-round draft picks
Jamal Adams’ wish was finally granted: He’s leaving New York in a stunning trade.
The Jets dealt the disgruntled star safety to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, splitting with a gifted player whose relationship with the franchise quickly deteriorated because of a contract dispute.
The Jets received a massive haul in the deal Saturday, sending a 2022 fourth-round draft pick along with Adams to the Seahawks for a 2021 firstrounder, a 2022 first-rounder, a 2021 third-rounder and safety Bradley Mcdougald — pending physicals.
Both teams confirmed the trade details, and the Seahawks welcomed Adams to the team in a Twitter post.
“Let’s get it!!!” Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson tweeted.
The deal ended a contentious several months for Adams and the Jets, a situation that increasingly appeared headed for a divorce when the two-time Pro Bowl selection criticized ownership early in the week and then took shots at coach Adam Gase and general manager Joe Douglas in an interview with the Daily News published Friday.
“To NY & especially the Jets fans, I love you & will always love you.” Adams wrote in a Twitter post. “You all will hold a special place in my heart forever. When I came into the league, you embraced me & watched me grow! We went through it all together. Thank you for the Luv & support these 3 years. (hash)prez Out.”
The 24-year-old former LSU star was drafted sixth overall by the Jets in 2017. He quickly
established himself as a fan favorite and one of the best players at his position, being selected for the past two Pro Bowls and making the All-pro squad last year.
But Adams’ relationship with the franchise began to take a turn last October.
The safety was angered when Douglas fielded phone calls from teams inquiring about Adams’ availability at the trade deadline. Douglas made it clear the cost for Adams would be exorbitant, a sign the Jets had no interest in dealing him. But Adams felt the team shouldn’t have even listened to other teams’ offers.
Adams went a week without speaking to Douglas or Gase before smoothing things after talking with CEO and chairman Christopher Johnson.
Adams was seeking an extension from the Jets, who didn’t budge since they had control over his contract through 2021 and could have also potentially placed the franchise tag on him in 2022. Douglas and Johnson said they hoped to make Adams a Jet for life, but Adams wanted his contract situation resolved this year.
When it appeared that wouldn’t happen, Adams made it clear he wanted out. He asked the team for a trade last month, and listed several teams to which he’d prefer to be dealt — including Seattle. Adams then used social media to criticize the team and capped things with the Daily News interview in which he said he didn’t feel Gase was “the right leader for this organization to reach the Promised Land” and saying Douglas wasn’t being straight with him or his agents.
A day later, Adams was headed out of town — after Douglas received an offer he couldn’t refuse.