Is Jamal Adams Pushing Himself out of Town?

The New York Jets and safety Jamal Adams appear to be at a crossroads yet again.

The two-time Pro Bowler is upset at Gang Green for not presenting him with a new contract extension, and is planning to skip the teams' voluntary virtual offseason program that begins next week, April 27. Adams anger stems from his belief that he is not the highest paid safety in the NFL, and the fact that the Carolina Panthers gave running back Christian McCaffery a new four-year, $64 million extension.

While they play two totally different positions, McCaffery was taken a few picks after Adams in the 2017 NFL draft.

Adams has one year remaining on his deal at $3.5 million. The Jets can strap franchise tags on him in 2021 and 2022 if they so choose, which is usually a messy proposition to begin with, but one that everyone seems to do anyway.

The question is how much longer will Adams remain a Jet? It has been the topic of conversation since last November when the Jets dangled Adams in trade talks with the Dallas Cowboys, angering the safety, who went on a public blitzkrieg bashing head coach Adam Gase and General Manager Joe Douglas.

The facts are the ball is squarely in Douglas's court. He has stated in the past that he wants to keep Adams as a "Jet for life," but there is no reason to jump up and sign him to a long term deal now. The Jets have time, and leverage. Adams does not. Safeties do not make the biggest bucks in the NFL; it's not considered a premium position like quarterback or wide receiver.

Currently Bears safety Eddie Jackson is the NFL's highest paid safety at $14.6 million per season. Clearly Adams is a better player, but what will he command? $19 or even $20 million a year? That might be too steep for the Jets, a franchise that will be looking to lock up Sam Darnold to a long term deal in the next couple of seasons.

The other option that sits on the table for Douglas is to trade Adams. The Jets wanted multiple first round picks for Adams when the negotiations with the Cowboys failed last year. There is no reason not to think that Douglas won't pick up  the phone again, if he hasn't already, and try to work out a deal if it gets Gang Green multiple first and second round picks. This team has plenty of needs, and Adams could bring in a haul.

So while Adams is upset, and he is clearly the Jets best defensive player, he is not playing a premium position, and has another year on his deal.  If he is willing to be patient, he'll get paid. If not, the  Jets have no choice but to move on.