He came, he promised, and he played his heart out on the field. Yet, in the end, the only area he conquered could possibly be filed under the \u201cgrass is greener\u201d category. <\/p>\n
Drafted No. 6 overall in the 2017 NFL draft\u2014by then-general manager Mike Maccagnan\u2014Jamal Adams<\/a> was an instant hit. The LSU strong safety who brought brashness and sizzle to Broadway also stole an entire fanbase\u2019s heart. <\/p>\n (Oh yeah, he was also a much better pass-coverage safety<\/a> in those early days than anybody remembers\u2014but that\u2019s beside the point.)<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s been eight years since the New York Jets<\/a> selected Adams, not much has changed in the \u201chope\u201d department. At that time, like now, fans were aching for a winner, stars, and legitimate ballers. <\/p>\n Fans were starving for homegrown dudes to call their own. <\/p>\n Fans were foaming at the mouth for some \u201cdawgs.\u201d<\/p>\n Though his on-field play contrasted greatly to the following sentiment, Jamal Adams turned out to be anything but a \u201cdawg\u201d\u2014at least as far as the New York Jets organization was concerned. <\/p>\n For several reasons, the potential for a Jamal Adams-New York Jets reunion makes little sense. <\/p>\n Still, Adams deserves significant credit for his recent Jets fandom tour. <\/p>\n Adams deserves a hat tip<\/p>\n On Wednesday, in the midst of a horrendous Game 5 for the New York Knicks, Adams joined \u201cThe Jet Lounge<\/a>\u201d X (formerly Twitter) fan group. Incredibly, he chatted up the fans for about two hours. <\/p>\n The clear takeaway from the appearance was simple: Jamal Adams wants to play for the New York Jets again. <\/p>\n \u201cI would love to be back with the Jets and, obviously, finish it the right way,\u201d Adams proclaimed. \u201cMan, that would be a dream come true, just to patch up that relationship and kind of make it right.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s an idea that\u2019s been building momentum, courtesy of an Adams X post in April<\/a> that showcased accountability for how things ended in the Summer of 2020. <\/p>\n Fair! Tbh, I didn\u2019t know how much of an impact I had on the fan base until I left. Yes, I knew I was loved but was more so just living in the moment. Young & dumb! It\u2019s soooo much more to the story Antonio! https:\/\/t.co\/XkRcSnvi5x<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jamal Adams (@Prez) April 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Adams deserves credit purely because of his willingness to engage with fans and examine his own actions. No matter the situation, the world rarely sees a notable athlete take that course of action. <\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean an Adams-Jets reunion is a fantastic idea\u2014even if Jets fans fell in love with the player and person, which they undoubtedly did initially. <\/p>\n The veteran leader?<\/p>\n Before exploring the potential of a reunion, Jamal Adams said all the correct things the other night. Understanding Aaron Glenn, Adams made it clear that he\u2019s willing to play the role of \u201cveteran leader\u201d for a regime seeking a youth movement. <\/p>\n \u201c[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,\u201d Adams said. \u201cI know I can still play football. I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Adams, who will turn 30 in October, last played for the Detroit Lions. And yes, Aaron Glenn was Adams\u2019s most recent defensive coordinator in the league that plays for pay.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s maintain the proper perspective throughout before the more sentimental folks start reaching for the stars: Adams officially played in just two games for a banged-up Detroit defense before getting the ax. <\/p>\n Numbers such as \u201ctwo\u201d are much more common for Jamal Adams (than those fitting nicely in the ironman category). <\/p>\n The risk-reward game<\/p>\n The last time Jamal Adams played more than nine games in a season was all the way back in 2021, his second season in Seattle (12 games). He also played 12 games the year prior (in 2020). <\/p>\n While in New Jersey, Adams\u2019s availability could be described as respectable. <\/p>\n The self-titled Prez played full seasons in each of his first two seasons (2017 and 2018). He then followed that up with 14 games played in the 2019 season, his last with the Jets. <\/p>\n Although several reasons squelch the idea of a New York Jets-Jamal Adams reunion, his limited availability stops it cold from the jump. <\/p>\n Glenn isn\u2019t the type of coach who keeps his ideas to himself, nor does he tiptoe around an elephant in the room. For Adams to have a semblance of a chance with the Jets, he has to stay on the field. <\/p>\n Unfortunately for him, there\u2019s no evidence he can accomplish such a thing. <\/p>\n On the other hand, Glenn (and subsequently, Jets fans) would graciously accept the possibility of football help. If Adams were to accept the veteran\u2019s minimum and give it a go under a zero-promises landscape, it\u2019s tough to pinpoint the potential downside. <\/p>\n Right?<\/p>\n Could the positives outweigh the potential of even a singular negative? <\/p>\n Doubtful. <\/p>\n Is it worth using even one of the team\u2019s 90 roster spots<\/a> on a guy who cannot remain available? On a guy who may eat into young Malachi Moore\u2019s reps or Tony Adams\u2019s time on the practice field?<\/p>\n On a guy who\u2019s appeared in just 20 games in the last three seasons (a possible 51 games)? <\/p>\n Scorched Earth<\/p>\n Granted, it feels like Jamal Adams has grown in the last half-decade, but would Woody Johnson and the organization ever contemplate such a low-level move? Try to rewind the clocks to 2020 for a moment. <\/p>\n Though much younger and perhaps much more confused and influenced, this is the same individual who made a lot of noise to get out of New York. Scratch that; this is the same individual who burned the entire facility down to get what he wanted. <\/p>\n What he \u2026 wanted. <\/p>\n Remember, this man went scorched Earth on the Jets organization. The moment his name reached a certain level via social media and sports fame was the instant he seemingly changed into a caricature of the kid we once knew. <\/p>\n Jamal Adams simply could not overcome \u2026 Jamal Adams<\/a>. <\/p>\n