On June 18, 2020, All-Pro Safety Jamal Adams demanded the Jets’ front office to grant him and his representation the ability to seek a trade, leaving many Jets fans in awe with the shocking news.
After contract extension negotiations between New York and Adams made little to no progress, the trade request was not out of the blue. The request, however, left Jets fans with a mixture of feelings.
Some fans feel the Jets should trade their consecutive team MVP right away, while others feel that if New York held on Adams, in time he will come around and resign.
Jamal Adams informed Jets fans through Instagram that he no longer desired to play for New York. He commented on one Jets fan page’s post “It’s time to move on, no hard feelings”.
While Joe Douglas (GM of the Jets) declined Adams permission to seek a trade and has expressed his intentions to keep the safety on his team long term, Jamal’s contract expires in two years when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
It would be beneficial for the Jets to trade Adams now and receive value in return rather than waiting two years and allowing him to walk in free agency for nothing.
Regardless that Jamal Adams has notified the Jets’ front office of seven teams he would approve being traded to (the Texans, Chiefs, Cowboys, 49ers, Seahawks, Ravens, and Eagles), his culminating destination is out of his control.
Though Adams would prefer to play for a contending team, I believe a deal between the Jets and Detroit Lions is more likely than it seems.
With the Lions coming off another disappointing season in 2019, the front office and coaching staff are in the hot seat. If the Lions are unable to provide a successful year in 2020, many experts believe their general manager Bob Quinn, and coach, Matt Patricia, will likely be fired.
Therefore, Detroit’s management will be desperate and inclined to make a money move that will help keep their job. The front office may be willing to trade star wide receiver, Kenny Golladay, if they are unable to re-sign him, noting that he is a free agent at the end of the 2020 season.
Along with this, the Lions just lost star cornerback Darius Slay to the Eagles and could use Adams to boost their defense. In the Slay trade, they received some draft capital that could be used towards a possible Adams trade.
The Jets would also be intrigued to engage in talks with Detroit regarding the all-pro safety. With it being unlikely that Detroit makes the playoffs in 2020, their draft picks will be more valuable than Adams’ preferred destinations.
On top of this, the Jets are thin at receiver. The likes of Kenny Golladay would majorly boost the Jets offense and give young QB Sam Darnold a star receiver to throw to.
Though it’s not as talked about as the Cowboys, Seahawks, or Texans, Jamal Adams to the Lions certainly is not off the table. And if it does happen, you can say you heard it here first.
Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press