New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas has made his first public comments since dealing Jamal Adams to Seattle.
The deed is done. Now, Joe Douglas speaks.
The New York Jets general manager took to the team’s social media account to release his first statements after dealing face of the franchise Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks. New York received three Seattle picks, including two first-rounders, and safety Bradley McDougald.
“This trade provides us with a unique opportunity to improve our team with multiple first-round picks in each of the next two years and the flexibility to continue to build this team for the future,” Douglas said. “Adding Bradley McDougald’s consistency and production to this year’s team was an important piece that gives us more experience on defense.”
Addressing the departure of Adams, Douglas reiterated the previous hope that the team would’ve been able to make him, as he said in February, “a Jets for life”. Adams’ tenure ends after four seasons in green.
“While we had maintained interest in Jamal Adams having a long and successful career with the Jets, we know it’s important to be prepared and willing to adjust to new offers and circumstances. As I have always said, my job is to listen to calls and this offer was one we could not ignore.”
The departed Adams was critical of Adams in the bombshell report from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, saying that Douglas created the schism that eventually sent Adams to the Pacific Northwest.
“It’s definitely mixed feelings,†Adams told Mehta. “But at the end of the day, my happiness is more important. I know my worth. I’m going to stand on my beliefs. I’m going to stand on who I am as a person. And I’m not ever going to change who I am for somebody who’s judging me. Either you accept me for who I am and you work with me and support me or you don’t. It’s okay if you don’t.
The trade of Adams is only the second deal in Jets history to net them two first-round picks, the first being the April 2000 transaction that sent another face of the franchise, receiver Keyshawn Johnson, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those picks were subsequently used on defender John Abraham (13th overall) and tight end Anthony Becht (27th overall).
Geoff Magliocchetti