{"id":761154,"date":"2026-02-18T22:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/761154\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T22:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:24:21","slug":"surprising-non-hall-jets-fa-to-draw-interest-as-starter-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/761154\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprising non-Hall Jets FA to draw interest as starter (Report)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you ask many New York Jets fans, the only impending free agent they might be afraid to lose is running back Breece Hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

According to a report from ESPN\u2019s Rich Cimini, Jets safety Tony Adams is \u201cexpected to draw interest from several teams as a starting safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

One player expected to draw interest from several teams as a starting safety is Tony Adams, a 3-year starter for the Jets. He\u2019s been working with legendary NJ-based trainer Rich Sadiv, known for his work with NFL players. https:\/\/t.co\/W9AH6NcJiT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Cimini added that Adams is working with New Jersey-based trainer Rich Sadiv.<\/p>\n

Adams, 27, joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2022. After an impressive rookie summer, Adams made the Jets\u2019 roster. He served as a backup safety and special teams player in his rookie year before rising to a starting role in 2023.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, 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\u2019s ownership pushed for the move.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

As a safety, Adams\u2019 inability to stick as a starter in New York\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Time will tell if NFL teams are as interested in Adams as Cimini\u2019s report indicates.<\/p>\n