SAFETY IN NUMBERS
Gase makes the case for Jets to keep upset Adams
Jamal Adams may no longer want to be on the Jets, but his coach is still hoping he is.
Adam Gase did not get into details on the team’s standoff with its star safety during a conference call with reporters Friday, but he made it clear he hopes Adams is a Jet this season.
“Yes, I want Jamal on our team,” Gase said when asked directly if he wants Adams to be a Jet in 2020.
Adams has been seeking a new contract from the Jets, but it has not come yet. That led to him request a trade last week. Gase would not say whether the Jets are open to giving Adams a contract extension before the season, but praised Adams and said he hopes the team can work through this.
“He’s been one of our best players and most consistent guys that we had last year,” Gase said. “I covered a lot of this at the end of the season, the value that he brings to this team and what he does on not only gameday but in practice. This is the tough part of the business. It’s something that we’ve got to keep working through.”
Gase also addressed his relationship with Adams after a report linked Adams’ desire to leave to a poor relationship with Gase.
“My relationship with Jamal has been good since the time I’ve gotten here,” Gase said. “We had a lot of discussions throughout the season, trying to figure out ways to win. To me, we’ve always gotten along well. There’s been a lot of dialogue between us, especially about on- and offthe-field-type topics.”
The second-year Jets coach is going to have to navigate tricky waters when it comes to Adams. Despite his trade request, the team has no plans to move him. That could lead to a training camp holdout and more ugliness between the two sides.
Gase is leaving the negotiations to general manager Joe Douglas, but Gase must prepare his team for the season and Adams’ situation could be a distraction.
Gase would not say whether he will try to speak to his 24-year-old star, saying he will keep that private, but sounded like he knows the Jets have to try to repair their relationship with Adams.
“This is a tough part of the business when one of your best players is working through things with our organization,” Gase said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to get to a good place so we can get him back and in the right spot and ready to go.”
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was effusive in his praise of Adams on Thursday. Gase also threw compliments at Adams, who was firstteam All-Pro last year. Gase pointed out Adams’ positional versatility and called his play speed “phenomenal.”
“He’s done a good job of executing what Gregg’s asked him to do at an extremely high level,” Gase said. “He’s allowed us to be super flexible in what we do. He really creates a lot for other people, as well. When guys have to account for him, especially when he’s pressuring or he’s down in the box and they’re not sure what’s going on, teams have to account for him which frees up other guys.”
Adams has two more years remaining on his contract, so the Jets could play hardball and just do nothing. He is due to make $3.5 million this season, a far cry from what the top safeties in the league make. Adams has given the Jets a list of eight teams he would accept a trade to without needing a contract extension.
The Jets have been reluctant to give Adams an extension, preferring to wait until next year, partly because of the uncertainty COVID-19 has created around the salary cap.
Gase was asked if the team was open to giving Adams an extension before the season.
“Anything that has to do with anybody’s contract is going to stay in-house,”
Gase said. “That’s not something we’re ever going to comment about publicly.”