New York Jets safety Jamal Adams explained to reporters Wednesday why he’s upset that his name was involved in trade discussions before Tuesday’s deadline.
FILE PHOTO: Oct 27, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) looks on during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
“It definitely hurt me,” said Adams, whom the Jets reportedly discussed with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. “I hold myself at a high level. You know the Rams, they don’t take calls on Aaron Donald. The Patriots don’t take calls on Tom Brady. You know what I mean? That’s where I hold myself, in that regard. So regardless of — I understand you have a job to do. That’s the way I took it.”
After reports emerged about trade discussions Tuesday, Adams tweeted that first-year general manager Joe Douglas “went behind my back and shopped me around to teams, even after I asked him to keep me here!”
Douglas told reporters after the deadline passed on Tuesday that the team was not “shopping” Adams, but simply doing its due diligence in listening to calls that came in on him.
“My message was clear, that Jamal was an absolute stud and we’re not interested in moving him,” Douglas said. “Teams continued to call. I was always taught where I’m from, if a team calls, you listen to what they have to say.”
Multiple reports indicated the Jets were asking for a package including a first-round pick and another high draft pick.
Asked Wednesday if he’s talked with Douglas or head coach Adam Gase since, Adams said the two reached out to clear the air, but the safety declined.
“I’m not ready to talk yet,” Adams said. .”.. We definitely can, and I believe that we definitely will, but I’m not ready to talk about it.”
Asked if he wants to stay with the Jets long-term or if he could seek a trade after the season, Adams said he wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know the future, I really don’t,” he said. “I’m excited to be here — right now, as we speak. I’m excited to put on a uniform, I’m excited to be a part of this organization. But you know, for the future, I don’t know. I really don’t. I thought I did, but I don’t know right now.”
Adams also confirmed that he told former NFL safety and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark he would “love to go” to the Cowboys, once he heard he was being shopped. The Dallas-area native said former Cowboys star wideout Michael Irvin “is like an uncle to me.”
Gase, who met the media earlier Wednesday, deflected questions about the team’s approach at the trade deadline, repeatedly saying he’s focused on facing the Miami Dolphins this Sunday.
Asked about Adams, Gase said, “He’ll be focused on Miami,” adding that any fallout from Tuesday’s reports will be “handled internally.”
Later Wednesday, Adams followed up on Twitter, writing, “Not saying I’m the greatest ever. But you shouldn’t tell a guy you are the cornerstone of the team on Friday, that you won’t be moved, and then negotiate terms with other teams 3 days later… But look, I’m at peace with everything! It’s all Luv!”
He added in a second tweet, “Locked in! My focus is on this team and the Dolphins game Sunday. I’m past everything. Looking forward to taking the field and competing.”
Adams, who has a contract through 2020 and a fifth-year option on his rookie deal for 2021, has one interception that he returned for a touchdown this season.
A first-round pick (sixth overall) of the Jets in the 2017 NFL Draft, he also has 39 tackles and five passes defensed in 2019. Adams, 24, made the Pro Bowl team for the first time last season, when he totaled one interception, 115 tackles, 12 passes defensed and 3.5 sacks.
—Field Level Media
