Jamal Adams trade rumors: Jets expected to ‘stand pat’

Any expectations of a Jamal Adams trade should likely be put to rest.

In recent days, the idea of the Kansas City Chiefs employing the greatest trio of safeties in the NFL—and likely NFL history—has been floated again and again in the wake of trade demands made by Jamal Adams of the New York Jets. The All-Pro defensive back has been frustrated with the Jets for some time, making it clear he wants out in a recent series of statements and online posts. However, it doesn’t look like he’s got any real leverage to force the team’s hand.

The latest report concerning Adams comes from NFL reporter Ian Rapoport who posted on Twitter that he expects the Jets to “stand pat” when it comes to Adams rather than trying to immediately respond to put out any fires.

Earlier this month, Adams put out not only his trade demands but a list of teams—including the Kansas City Chiefs—to which he would be willing to approve a trade and also forgo any demand of a new contract extension. Adams is three years into his current slotted rookie deal but a fifth year option for any first round players means the Jets (or any other team like K.C.) could keep him at a lower cost for two more years.

As for the Chiefs, the idea of adding Adams via trade means not only surrendering some impressive assets in the deal (a la young talent or draft picks) but it also means another expensive player entering a team that is already dealing with looming financial commitments. Defensive lineman Chris Jones is waiting on an extension that should hover around the $20 million annual mark, and Patrick Mahomes is going to break the bank for a record-setting deal this summer as well.

While some fans have thrown out the idea of Jones for Adams, the Chiefs just won a Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years in large part due to the tremendous disruptive work of Jones along the defensive front. The Chiefs also have two dynamic performers in the secondary at safety with Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, the latter of whom was forced to miss the biggest game of the year due to injury.

In the end, all of this is likely for nothing. Adams has little to no leverage in this situation unless the Jets have thinner skin than they should as a professional sports franchise. It sounds as if the Jets are well-aware of their options (or rather, Adams’ lack of them) and will let the dust settle on this dramatic offseason. It’s the right move for the Jets and it keeps silly rumors from floating around the Chiefs as well.