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New York Jets safety Tony Adams trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens.
A surprising New York Jets free agent is expected to command a lot of interest.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed on social media that safety Tony Adams is “expected to draw interest from several teams as a starting safety.”
Cimini added that Adams has “been working with legendary NJ-based trainer Rich Sadiv, known for his work with NFL players.”
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
A Surprising Plot Twist
Adams, 27, has had some up-and-down moments at the NFL level. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
The former Illinois product started with humble beginnings and transformed it into an NFL dream.
He made the Jets’ 53-man roster and eventually developed into a full-time starter. However, over the last two years, Adams’ stock with the team has plummeted.
During the 2024 season, Jets team owner Woody Johnson “forced” Jeff Ulbrich to “bench” Adams, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
Last year, the Jets finished with one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Adams went from a starting gig to a backup role for parts of last season until he was forced back into the lineup due to injuries piling up.
If he couldn’t be a consistent starter on a terrible defense, why would multiple teams be interested in Adams as a potential starter in free agency?
Perception can be reality.
Last offseason, the Jets were set to lose defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw in free agency. After an uneven year with the Jets, Kinlaw’s football future appeared to be uncertain. However, Kinlaw didn’t have any trouble finding a new home.
He immediately signed a three-year $45 million contract with $30 million of that guaranteed.
The Jets haven’t been a successful franchise in 15 years. When players or coaches struggle in New York, often other teams can look at the situation and blame the Jets instead of the parties in question.
Perhaps teams will blame Adams’ struggles on the Jets’ constant dysfunction.
A Handsome Pay Day for a Polarizing Jets Player
According to Spotrac’s calculated market value, Adams could command a three-year $19.5 million contract in free agency.
That $6.5 million annual salary would place Adams No. 26 among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said Adams is “unlikely” to return to the Jets this offseason.
“Adams was benched a couple more times by Aaron Glenn’s staff in 2025. It was a bumpy end of his Jets tenure to be sure, and he’s certainly a flawed player, but he can bring some valuable depth and experience to a secondary, and it would be fair to call him a success story considering he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and became a full-time starter,” Rosenblatt wrote.
“PFF graded him 49th of 83 safeties to play at least 400 snaps, and 30th in coverage. He had a poor missed tackle rate of 15.5 percent, and often those missed tackles led to huge plays or touchdowns,” Rosenblatt explained.
Adams has appeared in 53 games and has made 36 starts. With those opportunities, Adams has totaled 232 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 16 pass deflections, and two sacks.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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