It’s a Fun Idea, But the Packers Aren’t Trading For Jamal Adams
By Paul Bretl
It was recently reported that safety Jamal Adams is demanding a trade. But if you’re a fan of the Green Bay Packers, don’t expect Adams to end up in Titletown.
The New York Jets and star safety Jamal Adams have recently been engaged in ongoing contract negotiations. But frustrated with the little progress that has been made, it was recently reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN that Adams is now demanding a trade.
The 2020 season represents the fourth year of Adams’ rookie deal and there is a team option for a fifth in 2021. But as one of the bright, young defensive stars in today’s game, naturally, Adams is looking for a contract extension. And it’s nearly impossible to argue that he doesn’t deserve it.
Over his first three NFL seasons, Adams has missed only two games while totaling two interceptions, 25 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, 12 sacks, and an additional 13 quarterback hits. Certainly staggering numbers from the safety position.
In fact, during that three-year span, Adams leads all safeties in sacks and he was named a second-team All-Pro in 2018 and first-team All-Pro in 2019. At only 24-years-old, he’s already emerged as one of the best safeties in the game.
So, of course, any team in the NFL would be thrilled to have Adams and his playmaking ability patrolling in their secondary. And this includes the Green Bay Packers. However, if you’re holding your breath that they are going to make this trade, I’d suggest that you stop.
For one, Adams is looking for a new deal and for a Packers team that doesn’t have much spendable cap space this offseason, and as I’ve recently highlighted they aren’t going to in 2021 either, I’m not sure how they’d get him the contract that he is looking for.
Especially when we take into account that Green Bay still has to re-sign Kenny Clark and David Bakhtiari, both of which supersede Adams in importance when it comes to the hierarchy of new contracts. On top of that, Aaron Jones, Corey Linsley, and Kevin King are all free agents next offseason as well.
Additionally, I imagine that if Adams does get traded, the Jets are going to be looking for some premium draft picks in return. But for the Green Bay Packers who have several big contracts already on the books, giving up top draft picks for another hefty contract is not the correct way to go about building this team at the moment.
And take it for what it’s worth, but the Packers aren’t on Adams’ seven team wish list when it comes to destinations that he wants to be traded to. Not to mention that we don’t even know if New York is willing to trade Adams.
But hey, I get it. The thought of Adams, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage in the secondary is a lot of fun. At that point with how often Mike Pettine plays with three safeties, who cares what the linebacker position looks like when you can have Adams and Savage flying around the field making plays.
With that said, it is just that, a thought. This just isn’t a realistic trade scenario at all for the Green Bay Packers. Sorry to burst your bubble if you were still holding out hope.