The Jamal Adams trade is the gift that keeps on giving for the Jets

Joe Douglas’ decision to trade Jamal Adams to the Seahawks looks better and better every time he takes the field.

The Jets decided they finally had enough of Adams in July 2020. The All-Pro safety talked his way out of town, shattering his relationship with the organization that selected him sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft. New York stumbled upon Seattle as a willing taker for Adams and acquired two first-round picks — one in 2021 and one in 2022 — and a third-round selection in last year’s draft.

Two first-round picks for a player who is truly nothing more than a box safety always seemed like a steep price for the Seahawks to pay. The four-year, $72 million contract extension with $38 million guaranteed that Seattle was essentially forced to hand out in August to justify dealing those picks made the trade even more questionable and more of a win for the rebuilding Jets.

Adams’ stint with the Seahawks has already taken a turn and he’s not even through his second season with the team. Adams earned himself a trip to the Pro Bowl and helped Seattle to the playoffs in 2020, but he has been largely unproductive so far this season.

The Seahawks are off to a 2-4 start and Adams has not come close to holding up his end of his contract. He hasn’t picked off a single pass since arriving in Seattle and his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks playing near the line of scrimmage has disappeared. Adams has yet to record a sack in 2021 after posting a career-high 9.5 last season.

Most recently, Adams saw a potentially game-altering interception embarrassingly bounce off his facemask in Seattle’s Sunday night loss to the Steelers. That’s not what is expected of a player who is paid as handsomely as Adams, though he’s always had trouble catching.

Adams’ new team is currently dead last in the NFC West and the Jets are reaping the benefits of the Seahawks’ struggles. New York is in possession of Seattle’s first-round pick this year and that pick swings more in Gang Green’s favor with each Seahawks loss. Currently, Seattle has the 10th selection, giving the Jets two top-10 picks at the moment.

Adams’ struggles with Seattle are all the sweeter for the Jets and their fanbase, which supported him all the way until he took a torch and lit that bridge on fire. The player who did nothing but bash New York on his way out the door hasn’t achieved the kind of success he imagined with the Seahawks, and the Jets are benefitting as a result.

There is still plenty of time for Adams and Seattle to get back on track. Frankly, it’s likely Adams regains his form sooner rather than later. He’s simply too talented of a player. That won’t make the trade any less of a win for the Jets, though.

New York might not be taking home too many victories, but at least its former disgruntled safety is finally finding a way to help the team’s future.

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