Jamal Adams Trade Will Go Down As GM Joe Douglas' Finest Move

The Seattle Seahawks released former New York Jet Jamal Adams, signaling a massive win in the 2020 trade for the Jets.
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) prior to the game
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) prior to the game / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
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The Seattle Seahawks announced their plans to release former Jets safety Jamal Adams who the Jets sent to Seattle in 2020. In the trade, the Jets received safety Bradley McDougald, a first-round pick in 2021, a third-round pick in 2021, and a first-round pick in 2022 in exchange for Adams and a fourth-round pick in 2022.

The Jets used the Seahawks 2021 first-round pick and the third-round pick to move up in the draft to select Alijah Vera-Tucker who, despite injuries, has been dominant for the Jets at guard when healthy. New York later used the 2022 first-round pick on Garrett Wilson who's gone on to become a star for the Jets.

Bradley McDougald played in just seven games before being placed on injured reserve, however, he gave the team 36 tackles, three pass defenses, and a fumble recovery.

Despite the Seahawks signing Adams to a four-year extension in 2021, injuries limited him to just 34 games in Seattle. Over four seasons, Adams gave the Seahawks 221 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two interceptions, eleven pass defenses, and a forced fumble.

The trade of Jamal Adams may end up as Joe Douglas's finest move of his tenure as the Jets general manager. The downtrend in value for box safeties in the NFL was reaching its peak and rather than signing Adams to a lengthy extension, Douglas received a haul for Adams.

Could a Jamal Adams Reunion Be in Play For the Jets?

If the trade was only for the pick that acquired Garrett Wilson the trade would still be a massive win. In two seasons, the talented receiver recorded 2145 yards with seven touchdowns on 178 catches, winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year despite poor quarterback play.

We'll see Wilson reach new heights with a healthy season from Aaron Rodgers as opposed to the revolving door of quarterbacks he has played with.

The trade will continue to look better if Vera-Tucker can stay fully healthy going forward for the Jets. When healthy, he has looked like one of the best guards in the league. However, since his rookie season, he's played in just 12 games after playing a full 16 his rookie season.

The Jets could now reunite with their former All-Pro Safety as he's on the free agent market. The Jets may lose veteran safety Jordan Whitehead who is an unrestricted free agent, creating the possibility of a potential reunion. The defensive system of Robert Saleh may be attractive for a player of Adams' caliber to sign on for one year in hopes of rebuilding his value to sign one more major deal before he is thirty.

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