Still looking for his next squad in mid-May, Adams appears keen on returning to his first NFL home, and he’s spent time reflecting on his role in things going awry the first time around.
“My biggest regret is me and Joe Douglas never speaking,” Adams said. “We never spoke on the phone one time. We never spoke in person one time before this trade happened. And that’s where I wish we could have that back, because I can’t speak for him but I didn’t go about it the right way at that time.”
New York, of course, has likewise been through the ringer the past half decade, without a winning season to show for it. Gase was fired following the 2020 season, while Douglas was fired in-season last year.
Some fences in need of mending would therefore be located outside the Jets building.
But Adams could still look to make things right with fans in a return, and the new brass wouldn’t be completely unfamiliar to him. Although Adams’ stint with Detroit was short-lived, his defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the Jets’ newest head coach.
The Jets secondary appears to be in a good spot. Tony Adams and free-agent signee Andre Cisco provide starting experience at both safety spots, and New York also added Malachi Moore in the fourth round on April’s draft to round out a position group that should be further buoyed playing in tandem with some rock-solid cornerbacks.
Adams nonetheless feels he could be a fit due to his experience, and at 29 years old still believes in his talent when healthy.
“[I would] just come in as a seasoned vet, give game to the young cats and help in any way, shape or form I can,” he said. “I know I can still play football. I’m healthy and I know I can impact the game in a lot of ways. I just need that fair opportunity to come in and show what I can do.”