Jamal Adams Denies Asking Jets for Trade; Says GM Went Behind His Back

2019-10-29 22:42:59

The 2019 NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon, and Jamal Adams is still a New York Jet. The Pro Bowl safety took to Twitter to deny any reports that he had requested a trade from the Jets : Prior to Tuesday's 4 p...

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 06: Strong Safety Jamal Adams #33 of the New York Jets stands on the field during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 06, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Todd Olszewski/Getty Images

The 2019 NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon, and Jamal Adams is still a New York Jet.

The Pro Bowl safety took to Twitter to deny any reports that he had requested a trade from the Jets:

Jamal Adams @TheAdamsEra
At the end of the week last week, I sat down with the GM and Coach Gase and told them I want to be here in New York. I was told yesterday by my agent that the GM then went behind my back and shopped me around to teams, even after I asked him to keep me here! Crazy business.

Prior to Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, ESPN's Ryan Clark reported that Adams wanted to return home to Texas and play for the Dallas Cowboys (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter). Others reported that there was mutual interest between Adams and the Cowboys:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
Knowing the #Jets are open to dealing several of their big-name players, the #Cowboys have touched base with them on a possible deal for #Jets S Jamal Adams, sources say. He’s indicated he’s open to a move. Compensation would be massive.

ig: josinaanderson @JosinaAnderson
My understanding is that valiant efforts were made last night to convey Jamal Adams' interest in playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Will leave it at that.

Manish Mehta @MMehtaNYDN
Source: Jets have indeed engaged in trade conversations with the Cowboys involving Jamal Adams, as @Rapsheet said. My understanding is that Adams would welcome the change of scenery back to his hometown.

General manager Joe Douglas confirmed that the two did meet last week, but he said Adams is part of the organization's future plans, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

Mehta provided additional context, including comments head coach Adam Gase made to ESPN's The Michael Kay Show Tuesday evening:

Manish Mehta @MMehtaNYDN
Adam Gase on the Jets being open to trading Le'Veon Bell: "That was news to me." .... Adds that nothing was real. He also said nothing was real re: Jamal Adams. Cowboys offered a first-round pick for Adams. Guess that's not real.

Manish Mehta @MMehtaNYDN
Bottom line: Jets were willing to trade Le’Veon Bell, Jamal Adams and Robby Anderson to dump a bad contract (Bell) and stockpile draft picks to help Joe Douglas rebuild the team. Everything else is semantics and spin.

Schefter reported that the Baltimore Ravens were also "actively going after" Adams but were unable to agree to a deal with the Jets prior to the deadline.

The Jets drafted Adams with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. The 24-year-old earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season. During the offseason, the Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles before hiring Douglas and Gase to replace them, respectively.

The regime change paired with New York's disappointing 1-6 record this season could have prompted the Jets to consider parting ways with Adams to start over from scratch. However, the Jets were "only willing to part with Adams for a first-rounder and two second-rounders," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News corroborated Rapoport and Slater's report and added that the Cowboys were offering a first-rounder and either a fourth- or fifth-rounder for Adams.

So, while Douglas may have been shopping Adams, the Jets weren't going to give him away without receiving a hefty return.

Adams expressed a commitment to the Jets, but after Douglas reportedly dangled him ahead of the trade deadline, his loyalty could change—especially if New York doesn't start winning. The Jets are 10-29 since they drafted Adams.