The Seahawks can franchise tag Jamal Adams next year for an estimated $13-14MM. At least, that’s the case if Adams is considered a safety. If there’s no deal in place between now and next spring, Adams will argue that he should be classified as a linebacker (via PFT). 
There is precedent for this sort of thing — multiple linebackers have managed to get classified as defensive ends, adding millions to their franchise tag salaries. Adams’ odds will largely hinge on how the Seahawks use him in 2021. If he sees more snaps at safety than linebacker, then he’ll be fighting an uphill battle. But, if it’s the other way around, Adams could see a tag worth nearly $18MM in 2022, perhaps $4MM more than the safety tag.
Beyond that, Adams would increase his leverage significantly. A 20% bump in 2023 ~would put him at about $21.5MM, giving him $10MM more in total between ’22 and ’23. That’d be a much stronger starting point for negotiations for Adams’ camp.
At last check, the Seahawks offered Adams a four-year, $70MM deal with $38MM guaranteed. That’d keep Bobby Wagner as Seattle’s highest-paid defender while making Adams the NFL’s highest-paid safety by a healthy margin — about $2MM/year over Justin Simmons. Adams’ camp, meanwhile, wants $40MM guaranteed with all of the bonus money paid out in the first three years, rather than across all four.
100% speculation junk. There is no way he’d be considered a LB regardless of use in the system. This is a wannabe media person making garbage up.
The deal will get done. Goodness
Why? Because you have some sort of direct line to Jamal Adams where you have inside information that he WON’T do this? If you read the article it states that a source within the league has a connection to Adams and some insight.
The deal is nearly complete. Everything else is speculation by wannabes trying to stir crap up. If you lack the capacity of common sense, that’s on you
I talked to Jamal earlier today, he said he ain’t signing an extension in Seattle and will only play hard when he is at D end this year…seems like you have bad sources buddy boy
No reason to insult the guy for disagreeing with you, BuddyBoy. Common sense and opinions are two different things, and there’s nothing remotely obvious that 100% guarantees that this reasoning is off.
That said, if the entirety of the dispute is over $2 million of guaranteed money and the payout being more upfront, then yes, I would have to agree that Seattle should just accept it and bite the bullet. It is not ideal, but the fact of the matter is that they did trade two 1sts for Adams and they accepted the high price of acquiring him when they did so. They knowingly handed him the leverage in any future negotiations, so now they’re in it, $2 million and guarantees paid up front are small pieces to hold over.
Yes, Adams is being stubborn and money-obsessed, but at this point, Seattle is far enough in that $2 million more in guarantees and a shorter time table are small details. If they considered cutting Adams after three years, then they shouldn’t have given up what they did for him.
The thing is they dont. They can franchise tag him next year and i believe the year after and he still would not be getting the money the Seahawks are offering for the first 2 years. In reality they are getting him for 4 years with those 2 franchise tags with flexibility.
The Seahawks came up a lot but Adams really has not come down. I have a feeling by yr 2 or most likely 3, he will try to ask for another contract which is why he wants all guarantee to be paid off sooner.
Seattle gave him what he asked for then he moves the sticks. I believe they will reach an agreement but as some have said in other articles he isn’t being lowballed or Seattle being cheap.
Whether it’s true or not, it’s a clever tactic to try in his situation. Per a previous article, he’s being offered about $17.5 million per in the current Seattle offer. If he’s classified as a safety, Seattle can tag him as follows:
‘22 for ~$14mm
‘23 for ~$16 to $17mm
That’s actually very reasonable for his talent Level and way below the current contract offer.
If he’s classified as a LB, the cost of tagging him would be:
‘22 for ~$18mm
‘23 for ~$21 to 22mm
So it would flip the script from Seattle having the leverage to Adams having the leverage.
Again, it could all be fake, but it’s interesting.
It is interesting but i dont think he will get it. LB and De are easier to show where they lineup and they can do calculations but strong safety not so much. I think they will see from his all pro rankings and the fact he went to three super bowls as a SS and treat it similar to Jimmy Graham,
I think it would be a stretch to see it any other way.
I mean, I agree that Seattle is getting screwed, but I don’t see them as having any other option. Adams is a long shot to be classified as a LB, but whatever the case is, a deal would be preferable to three consecutive tags, which would likely approach the $40 million guarantee that Adams is seeking, even at the safety level. They should not have traded what they did for someone who didn’t immediately agree to a new deal. Putting the deal off only increases the leverage the player has, as opposed to before the trade, when the team has to actually make an offer and therefore has more leverage.
Well Mike Florio is far from a wannabe media person
He signed what looks like the Hawks offer
I look forward to hearing “I’m a Seahawk for life!’ comment after signing some deal & then a year later saying ‘they undervalue me’ or ‘they disrespect me’ comment.
I hear what your saying arty but just as often you see management stating “We have great respect for so and so who we view as an integral part of our future plans”. Then soon after they trade or waive the guy.
The verbal love & spat is part of the fun! You’re exactly right on the front office side.
Both are true. Neither are genuine, but both are true.
The way he is acting I might actually let him walk in FA after this year. Or I might try to trade him for what I spent and put Blair in his spot, to be honest Blair is better in coverage and hits just as hard it wouldn’t be to much of a step backwards.
How is he acting? He’s in camp, engaging on practices without physically participating, and hasn’t said one word negatively on social media.
The coverage stuff is weak as well as he was good in coverage every year but last when he played with a groin and shoulder injuries that required surgery.
Real talk BuddyBoy!
I feel like classifying as a LB would hurt i
Him in the long-run. He’d go from the best pass rushing safety to an undersized LB
He wants ridiculous money. They should never have traded for him without an extension ready to sign the second the deal went through. Keep in mind they gave up two 1st round picks
Exactly. Having at least an idea would have been good-but, then again, maybe they did and we just didn’t hear about it. In any case, giving up even one first already imparts leverage to a player, let alone two.
In this case they just couldnt do anything with the cap hell they were in. It was supposed to be in good faith the next season something would come together which is where we are now.
Jamal Adams is just yet another of the entitled egotistical pain in the a** prima donna players that litter the NFL these days. There’s a reason the Jets traded him instead of paying him, and I’ll bet they thank god they did so every day. Seattle has to be feeling the same way. These jerks aren’t worth having on the team no matter how good they think they are. Me me me. I deserve this. I deserve that. I’m underpaid. You don’t value me. WAH WAH WAH. I’m glad the team is taking a stand. How’d that work out for Le’Veon Bell? (who?). You’re all replaceable.
If Adams wanted to be classified as a LB, he should have said so a couple years ago, not when contract talks take place. The guy has been nothing but a headache to his teams since he came into this league.
Yes indeed. Happy we traded this me-first jerk. I think we also had a 3rd round pick included too.
He’s not even that good. The sacks mask his coverage weakness.
Love social media. People get upset with each other, for what? This is entertainment! We are all just having a good time and voicing thoughts as fans!
Adams is so full of himself he thinks if he changes his position designation he can ask for more money or more than Wagner? He should designnate himself the OWNER!
It’s his demeanor that ran him out of NY and cornered himself here in SEA. Teams have a cap. So to keep a team without mortgaging it to one player there will always be discussions on pay. SEA knows better.
Don’t worry though. If he signs in SEA or ends up as in NY there will ALWAYS be another bottom feeder team with the cash he can go and be happy. There he can finish his career with like so many like him.
I like Jamal but his coverage skills were suspect at best last year. With Ryan Neal, who was arguably better in coverage last season, and Marquise Blair on roster I wouldn’t budge. I’d rather they invest in offensive line so Russell Wilson doesn’t look like David Carr back there.
Deal is dine, what a shocker…not!