Veteran Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jamal Adams posted an ambiguous message on social media on Tuesday, teasing some “opportunity” that he is excited for. The nature of the opportunity isn’t clear.
All told, Adams’ message was very brief.
“Looking forward to the opportunity,” Adams said.
NFL free agency begins in a matter of weeks, on March 13, and that would seemingly be the most obvious opportunity upcoming for an NFL player. However, Adams is under contract through the 2025 season.
It’s possible the new Seahawks coaching regime wants to reshape the defense in a way that doesn’t involve Adams, and informed him that he will be cut or released. But given the structure of his contract, the Seahawks would stand to benefit greatly from waiting until June 1 to make a move.
If Adams is traded or released prior to June 1, it will incur a $20.8 million dead cap hit and give the Seahawks just over $6 million in cap relief, according to Spotrac. Cutting or trading Adams after June 1 changes the math greatly in the Seahawks’ favor, as it would cut the dead cap hit in half to $10.4 million and result in the opening of $16.5 million in cap space.
Adams starred in college at LSU before getting drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played three seasons there before getting traded to Seattle ahead of the 2020 season. He was a first team All-Pro in 2019.
Adams has been slowed by injuries for much of his career, especially of late in Seattle. He’s yet to play a full slate of games for the Seahawks and played in just 10 the past two seasons combined, and 24 total in the two seasons before that, to make it 34 in four years.
Adams also had run-ins with the league concussion doctor in 2023
The league slapped Adams with a $50,000 fine for comments made towards the doctor, as well as inappropriate physical contact. The incident occurred in Seattle’s game against Cincinnati in October 2023.
Adams’ confrontation with a doctor was the second time in a three-week span. The safety also had an exchange with a medical professional during the Seahawks’ Week 4 showdown against the Giants. Because he was diagnosed with a concussion, the NFL decided not to fine him.
Seattle dropped last week’s game to Cincinnati 17-13. Adams finished the game with four stops, including a tackle for loss.
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