As for Jamal Adams, the ex-New York Jets great defensive back is definitely looking to return on a full recovery. He’s interested in going back to the team that took him sixth overall in 2017. As a result, Adams has gained acclaim as one of the NFL’s young-season fireworks. Yet, for all his swagger, he acknowledges the mistake of departing New York Jets circling the wagon and sending the rest of the fan base to turn on him.
Rich Cimini is a long-time ESPN reporter who has more than 30 years of experience covering the Jets. All of this is happening as Adams’ likely return comes at the same time as the Jets’ historic overhaul. The team recently parted ways with kicker Greg Zuerlein. He hit just nine of his 15 field goals last season, which is in part why we’re still waiting for the ledger of tweaks to come. The Jets have added undrafted rookie defensive end Michael Fletcher.
Adams joined ESPN in 2010 and hosts the “Flight Deck” podcast, where he frequently discusses developments within the Jets organization. Even more so, now that he’s considering a periodical reunion with the franchise that originally drafted him, his insights are timely and inarguable.
“My biggest regret is me and Joe Douglas never speaking,” stated Adams in a recent interview, referencing the Jets’ general manager. This poor line of communication was likely a reason for his abrupt departure from the franchise last season.
During Adams’ time with the Jets, he achieved some pretty remarkable feats. After being traded to the Seahawks in 2020, he went to the Pro Bowl in his first season with Seattle. As a result, he signed a valuable four-year, $70 million contract extension with Seattle. Injuries haunted him, limiting him to just 22 games across three seasons. This difficulty in finding playing time eventually led to his release by the Seahawks. He spent last year with both the Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions.
Reflecting on his time with the Jets and how he would approach a potential return, Adams stated, “I would love to be back with the Jets and, obviously, finish it the right way.” His hope to make a positive impact is bigger than his personal dreams.
Calmly, I’ll assume my role as wizened long-timer. I’m very excited to pass on what I know to the younger players and help them out in every way that I can! His willingness to mentor younger players would be an underrated asset for a team seeking to rejuvenate and cultivate young talent.
As the Jets navigate their offseason roster changes, including the recent signing of Fletcher and the departure of Zuerlein, Adams’ interest in returning may align with the team’s needs for experienced leadership and talent on the field.
Leave a Reply