Jamal Adams & The Bucs
February 2nd, 2026
So Joe had a 1-on-1 chat with versatile defensive back Jamal Adams at the Pro Bowl seven years ago.
Intense dude.
Todd Bowles had just been fired as New York Jets head coach and hired by Bucco Bruce Arians to be Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. Adams was a first-round draft pick of Bowles and the Jets in 2017, No. 6 overall. Joe wanted to get a sense of Bowles and it turned out Adams had deep affection for his old boss. And, per reports out of New York, Bowles was just as in love with Adams.
Adams’ impressive career was derailed in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by multiple injures (hip, quad, kneecap, shoulder labrum). He became an afterthought in league circles but landed with the Raiders this season.
His old ball coach, Pete Carroll, decided to move him to weakside linebacker and a strange thing happened: Adams played all 17 games and was fine in a new position. He wasn’t great, but he certainly flashed in a part-time role.
What Joe likes about 30-year-old Adams is his aggression. Soft is not in his nature. The Bucs could use some of that.
Joe is wondering today if Bowles would love to bring in a familiar chess piece like Adams, a pending free agent that could bring veteran juice if Lavonte David waves goodbye. Adams is no savior, but he could be an inexpensive fit for a head coach that needs a fast start to the 2026 season.
Jamal Adams was the highest graded defender for the Raiders according to PFF.
Had 3 pressures blitzing and looked good against the run. Made the most of his 25 snaps.
3 of his best plays below. pic.twitter.com/lzy9EOvka7
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) September 10, 2025