If you ask many New York Jets fans, the only impending free agent they might be afraid to lose is running back Breece Hall.

However, it appears that Hall is not the only Jets free agent whom other teams are eager to pursue as a starter.

According to a report from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Jets safety Tony Adams is “expected to draw interest from several teams as a starting safety.”

One player expected to draw interest from several teams as a starting safety is Tony Adams, a 3-year starter for the Jets. He’s been working with legendary NJ-based trainer Rich Sadiv, known for his work with NFL players. https://t.co/W9AH6NcJiT

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 18, 2026

Cimini added that Adams is working with New Jersey-based trainer Rich Sadiv.

Adams, 27, joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2022. After an impressive rookie summer, Adams made the Jets’ roster. He served as a backup safety and special teams player in his rookie year before rising to a starting role in 2023.

Across four seasons with the Jets, Adams started 36 of his 53 appearances. He collected 232 total tackles, four interceptions, 16 passes defended, and two sacks.

It would be surprising if other NFL teams viewed Adams as starting material. This past season, he was benched by the Jets after his fourth start, despite playing for one of the worst defenses in the league. Adams was also benched in 2024, although it has been speculated that New York’s ownership pushed for the move.

The six-foot, 205-pound Adams has struggled as a tackler in his NFL career. Through four seasons, he has missed 38 tackles, per Pro Football Focus. This past season, he had a career-high 15.5% missed tackle rate.

However, Adams provides some value in coverage. He offers solid speed and is a useful matchup weapon as a man-coverage defender out of the slot. In 2025, Adams allowed 3-of-8 passing for 10 yards (0 TD, 0 INT) on 29 slot coverage snaps.

If he is not in slot coverage, though, Adams can be exploited. When lined up anywhere but the slot in 2025, Adams allowed 10-of-13 passing for 146 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions (138.6 passer rating). He can be susceptible to coverage busts in zone.

Perhaps a move to the slot corner position would make sense for Adams. Still, it is hard to imagine a team would covet him for a starting role at that position, given that he has never played it on a full-time basis.

As a safety, Adams’ inability to stick as a starter in New York’s talent-deprived defense is not the best indicator that he would be viewed as a starter by many of the other 31 teams. There is certainly a place for him on a 53-man roster somewhere, as his experience would make him a valuable backup for any team, but a starter-tier contract would be unexpected.

Time will tell if NFL teams are as interested in Adams as Cimini’s report indicates.