Jamal Adams is one of several veteran safeties still on the market. A reunion with the Seahawks has been discussed, but he is also drawing interest from at least one other team.
Adams is set to visit the Ravens today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Baltimore has seen a number of free agent departures this offseason, including at the safety and linebacker positions. The latter role could await Adams on his next NFL contract after he struggled in coverage last season.
Baltimore saw Geno Stone join the Bengals in free agency. The former seventh-rounder emerged as a key member of the team’s secondary during the 2024 campaign in particular, as he recorded seven interceptions. That helped him earn a two-year, $15MM deal in Cincinnati. The Ravens still have Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton in place as safety starters, though the former has dealt with injuries during his two-year tenure with the team.
Hamilton enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, showcasing his versatility. He is expected to continue lining in up in a variety of roles this season, and as such the Ravens could stand to add a third safety in free agency. Adams could take on a rotational role, particularly if it kept him close to the line of scrimmage. An April report indicated any new Seattle deal for the former All-Pro would be aimed at playing him as a linebacker rather than a safety.
Baltimore lost Patrick Queen to the Steelers this March. He earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro nods last season, his first full one with Roquan Smith in place as a second level starter. The latter is attached to a market-topping contract, so it came as little surprise when Queen departed on the open market. As things stand, 2023 third-rounder Trenton Simpson is in line to take on a starting role. He logged just 46 defensive snaps last year, though, so Baltimore could be in the market for an experienced insurance option.
Adams, 28, is a veteran of 80 starts. His Seattle tenure was marred by injuries, however, and he played just 10 games across the 2022 and ’23 campaigns. In the wake of his missed time and coverage struggles, it came as little surprise when the Seahawks released him (alongside fellow starter Quandre Diggs). The latter, like a number of other established names at the safety spot, remains unsigned.
It will be interesting to see if the Ravens offer Adams a deal following his visit. The team has roughly $5.6MM in cap space, so only a low-cost investment would be feasible on the Adams front. The three-time Pro Bowler is unlikely to land a lucrative pact this offseason from any suitor, and Baltimore could offer him at least a rotational role on defense should this summit yield mutual interest in a pact.
Adams can’t cover and is as fragile as glass
I’d take a flyer on him. 1yr – 5 mil?
Even exclusively as a linebacker he’s one dimensional
This guy is a liability. He will cost his new team many games due to his uncontrollable emotions and ego.
DB who can’t cover or stay out of trainers room hurt … got to be better solution out there.
Coaching change, change of scenery, mental reset, whatever. He’s worth the risk if healthy.