Jamal Adams is off the Seahawks’ PUP list, pointing to an early-season return. But that will not come to pass in Week 1. Pete Carroll ruled out the former All-Pro for Seattle’s opener.
The former top-10 pick is on the homestretch of a recovery from a torn quadriceps tendon sustained in the Seahawks’ 2022 season opener. Generally optimistic on the injury front, Carroll said the Seahawks would give the former big-ticket trade acquisition more time. The 14th-year Seattle HC said during a KJR interview Adams could be sidelined multiple games.
On-field preparations for the Seahawks’ opener against the Rams did not include Adams, who is going into his age-28 season. Adams has only participated in walkthroughs since being activated off the active/PUP list on August 24. The former Jets standout has missed 25 games as a Seahawk. The team added insurance, in the form of Julian Love, at the position in free agency. Love joins Adams and Quandre Diggs in comprising the NFL’s most expensive set of safeties.
The Seahawks are hoping to use Adams more near the line of scrimmage, his specialty, while Diggs and Love operate in more traditional safety roles. The team has Diggs tied to a three-year, $39MM accord; Love signed a two-year, $12MM deal in March. Adams’ record-setting deal ($17.5MM AAV) still sits third at the position, two years after it was finalized. The Seahawks have $40.9MM allocated to their safety position on their 2023 cap sheet. No other team’s number crosses $25MM at this position.
Giving up two first-round picks and a 2021 third-rounder in the 2020 Adams swap, the Seahawks have ended up on the losing end of this deal. The Jets used the first-rounders on Alijah Vera-Tucker (via trade-up) and Garrett Wilson. The Seahawks would be hit with $9MM-plus in dead money by designating Adams as a post-June 1 cut in 2024; Adams’ $18.1MM cap hold tops the team’s 2023 payroll. For now, the team will hope to see the seventh-year veteran recapture old form.
Additionally, Carroll said first-round pick Devon Witherspoon is unlikely to begin the season on time, per the Tacoma News-Tribune’s Gregg Bell. The No. 5 overall pick is nursing a hamstring injury. While Carroll ruled out Adams for the opener, he stopped short of confirming the rookie cornerback would be sidelined. Witherspoon is by far the highest corner draftee of the Carroll-John Schneider era. The team had previously never used a first- or second-round pick on that position.
well ain’t this a surprise
Joe Douglass: greatest trade of the century (aside from Miami moving down to let SF draft Trey Lance)
That trade was a JD masterclass!
What a terrible trade that was for Seattle. Seems like he’s missed more games than he’s played and even when he’s played he hasn’t been the difference maker they though he’s be. They gave up a lot to get this guy and he’s been a bust
He has only played in 25 games over the last 3 years. When healthy he is a beast.
He’s actually played in 25 games out of 48 possible since being traded from the Jets in return for 2 first rounders and a 3rd….and there are many who would question your description of “playing like a beast”….the talk is he’s pretty average at best in coverage which is why he is playing more of a hybrid role up close to the line….he hasn’t had a sack since 2021and I believe is making a boat load of money….plus his injury history forced the Seahawks to sign one of the Giants safety’s to a contract which took away options at other positions of need……definitely a trade that favors the Jets……
Don’t think anyone is questioning the Jets won trade but he is very disruptive when healthy. Yes he does play a very hybrid role db-linebacker type. With the addition of Love..and the young dbsif he can return will be a very strong secondary.
I’m not a Seahawks fan but I do like Pete Carroll. He likes giving players second chances (you’ll remember he was the only coach interested in giving Kaepernick a workout when everyone else was apparently in collusion against the QB). Anyway, I’m thinking Pete might be getting a bit soft as he ages and players like Adams are trying to take advantage of his forgiving nature.
I am a Seahawks fan and Pete C has lost none of his fire nor his expectations he has of competing all the time. I’m not sure how you are saying he has gone soft since he doesn’t want to rush Adam’s back. They are giving him some more time. He has only participated in walk through since coming off pup list August 24th. Adams has been frustrating..Great player but plays too hard and gets hurt. If rushed him back guarantee another injury. Better off giving more time to heat and get into game speed.
It seems inevitable, doesn’t it,, that Adams will be moved to some type of linebacker or hybrid role in a full time capacity after the Love signing? I’m not saying necessarily that Love would replace him directly, or that another player wouldn’t be the one to eventually do so, but it seems to indicate that Seattle would consider it a need.
Adams is still quite good at playing down low, but coverage skills have certainly diminished. In New York, he was very good in both areas. New York played a much different scheme, though, that was much more man heavy. It’d be interesting to see if Adams, in light of his box skills and athleticism, would be moved to that type of role. Seattle could get its three top safeties on the field at once.
I would agree. The idea has Ben looked at in past. I think they have the players now to ru it. Make him a strong low Nickel back linebacker. I think the role would fit him.