At 30 years old, he’s the oldest player currently in Minnesota’s defensive backs room. He may take a little ribbing from the younger guys, but Adams is proud to be an example of NFL longevity.
“I’m officially ‘O.G.’ They call me ‘O.G.’ and ‘Unc,’ ” he quipped. “It’s pretty cool to see younger guys develop in this game. And hopefully one day they can be going into Year 10 to give back to the younger generation. Anything that I can give to them, any free game on and off the field, that’s what I’m here for.”
As it turns out, Joshua Metellus has been learning from Adams’ game long before they shared a locker room.
Metellus, a sixth-round draft pick in 2020 by Minnesota, has admired the 2017 first-round selection from afar for multiple years.
“I kid you not, I used to go into class (at Michigan) — sorry, Mom — I used to go into class and sit at the top of the auditorium, open my laptop,” Metellus explained, “and I’d have Steph Curry highlights from the night before, and then after I finished that, I’d just watch Jamal Adams.
“That’s a guy I try to emulate my game after,” he continued. “I used to watch endless hours of him making plays. … And now to watch a guy who was on the couch a couple weeks ago, he comes in and puts on 54 and is just running through people’s faces. He didn’t know where the coverage is, what gap to play, he’s just playing fast and showing why he’s been in the league for so long.”