JET ME OUTTA HERE!
Adams tells Gang to trade him because he can’t get new deal
All-Pro Jets safety Jamal Adams has made it no secret that he wants a new, big-money contract from the club, but on Thursday he took his frustration to a new level when he told the team he wants to be traded.
Jamal Adams’ trade request escalated from a social media rant to a real-life demand.
Frustrated by slow-moving contract negotiations and without much other leverage, the star Jets safety informed the team Thursday he wants to be dealt, The Post confirmed. It creates a messy marriage because the Jets have at least two more years of control over Adams and would be unwise to move their bargainrate best player without a huge return.
As Adams tries to force the issue, the Jets still do not intend to trade Adams, did not give his agent permission to speak to other teams and view him as a part of their long-term future, a source said. The Jets could not be reached for comment, but general manager Joe Douglas previously said he wants Adams to be a “Jet for life.”
But the Jets have not Adams a contract offer, a source said, leaving the safety frustrated and distrustful of the team.
The All-Pro safety’s discontent has been growing for months — ever since he was mentioned in trade deadline rumors last October, really — and reached a boiling point this week.
“Maybe it’s time to move on,” Adams wrote Wednesday on Instagram.
Adams would welcome a trade to the Ravens, Cowboys, Texans, Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers or Seahawks, ESPN reported. But, as Odell Beckham Jr. learned when he was shipped by the Giants to the Browns, Adams has no say in his destination if the Jets change their stance.
It is the worst-kept secret that Adams, who is from the Dallas area, would be interested in returning home to fill the Cowboys’ need for a play-making safety. The Dallas Morning News reported there are certain trade destinations, including the Cowboys, where Adams would not require an extension until 2021.
Adams’ message last week, as word leaked the Browns and defensive end Myles Garrett are in talks on an extension, was the Jets are “all talk no action” and he was expecting a contract offer in January. He has $13.45 million remaining on his contract, including the team-exercised fifth-year option for 2021. “[I am going to] protect myself,” Adams wrote, “just like the organization will look out for themselves at the end of the day.”
Adams was triggered by Jets fans who want him to stop publicly criticizing the team when even Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes still is playing on his rookie contract. Garrett (No. 1), Adams (No. 6) and Mahomes (No. 10) were picked in the 2017 NFL Draft and this is the first offseason players from that class are eligible for an extension.
“What does Pat have to do with me?” Adams replied to a fan. “Pat is about to get 40 to 60 M’s [million] a year. Well deserved. That’s my guy. But don’t compare me to QB’s if you aren’t paying me QB money.”
It is rare for even big stars to sign an extension after three seasons. Quarterbacks — the most valued commodities — and running backs — who have the shortest careers of all NFL players — are the exceptions to the rule. Panthers running back
Christian McCaffrey is the only 2017 firstrounder rewarded thus far.
Adams did not participate in the Jets’ voluntary virtual offseason to send a message, and there was reason to believe he would not show up for training camp (if it proceeds as scheduled) July 28 even before the trade request. If Adams holds out beyond the first six days, he is subject to fines under the new collective bargaining agreement.
The NFLPA told agents this week the league could lose $3 billion in revenue playing fan-less games in 2020 — more if games are canceled completely — and that could affect the salary cap in 2021. So, some players are feeling more urgency to strike a megadeal, while teams are more reluctant to hand out big contracts.
“Don’t use the pandemic excuse,” Adams wrote. “CM22 [McCaffrey] got paid not too long ago.”