Report: New York Jets S Jamal Adams will likely skip virtual offseason program

New York Jets, Jamal Adams
Nov 3, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Lack of progress toward an immediate long-term deal is said to play a part in Adams skipping the New York Jets’ virtual proceedings.

Reports have surfaced that New York Jets safety Jamal Adams will skip the team’s virtual offseason program when it begins later this month.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Adams’ rumored lack of participation on Friday morning. Schefter further hinted that Adams may be dissatisfied with the lack of progress toward a long-term contract and that the team could possibly field trade offers for him as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches.

Virtual offseason programs have been put in place as the NFL continues to navigate its return around restrictions put in place by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adams is entering the final season of the four-year contract worth just over $22 million he signed after the Jets chose him in the first round of the 2017 draft. The safety was reportedly shopped as the 2019 trade deadline approached, but no deal was made despite rumored interest from the Dallas Cowboys. Tensions briefly rose, but Adams finished the year in New York.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in February that “preliminary talks” about a long-term deal had occurred with Adams’ representation. Douglas hesitated to call it true progress, but insisted that the team was planning to make Adams “a Jet for life”.

“Jamal is an unbelievable player. We’re excited about Jamal,” Douglas said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, per NewYorkJets.com. “We’ve had some preliminary talks with his agent. I’m not going to get into the specifics of that. But the plan is for Jamal to be here a long time.”

At least one of Adams’ secondary comrades wasn’t believing Schefter’s report. Cornerback Bless Austin told the ESPN insider to “relax” about a half-hour after his original report.

https://twitter.com/BlessuanAustin/status/1251127839245680640

Adams, 24, has earned 273 tackles, 12 sacks, and two interceptions in his first three New York seasons. The 2019 campaign saw Adams earn First-Team All-Pro honors and his second consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.

The 2020 NFL Draft will begin on April 23 (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC/NFL Network).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags