Jamal Adams has been one of the leaders of the safety/linebacker-hybrid movement since being drafted No. 6 overall back in 2017. Still, Adams has been adamant throughout his career that he is a safety. Thanks to an interview clip from ESPN’s Turron Davenport, we received a clue that a request to move to linebacker may have been a factor in Adams’ departure from Seattle. 
Early in his career with the Jets, Adams’ numbers reflected those of a strong safety. While consistently being atop the team’s leaders in tackles, he still was very active in coverage, recording two interceptions and 25 passes defensed in his three years with New York. His efforts with the Jets earned him first- and second-team All-Pro honors and two Pro Bowl appearances.
After being traded to Seattle, Adams’ situation changed a bit. While the biggest change saw Adams struggle to stay on the field as he began dealing with annual injury issues, he also saw his role on the defense be tested in different ways. While in New York, Adams did see his time split between the box as a linebacker and as a safety or slot defensive back. In his first season with the Seahawks, though, Adams’ time at safety significantly decreased as he spent most of his time closer to the line in the slot or, mostly, in the box.
The following season, Adams pushed for more time at safety, and for the first time in his career, he played more snaps at safety than in the box or the slot. Unfortunately, that season also returned his worst defensive grade, per Pro Football Focus, up to that point of his career as well as the worst coverage grade of his career. 2022 saw his season lost to a torn quad tendon, then last year, with the arrival of Julian Love, Adams played the lowest snap share at safety in his career, playing almost exclusively close to the line at linebacker or nickel.
Davenport asked the new Titans defender about his departure from Seattle, inquiring whether they officially asked him to change positions. In response, Adams told the media, “Yeah, they did. They definitely did. Obviously, it wasn’t, you know, what I wanted to do, but I wish those guys nothing but the best.”
In Tennessee, Adams projects to serve as the third safety behind Elijah Molden and Amani Hooker, meaning he will likely continue to be used across the defense in a variety of ways. Agreeing to sign with the Titans, though, likely means that the team agreed to keep using him in some capacity at safety. Time will tell if the decision allows him to keep playing the role in which he wishes to play.
He basically does…it isn’t an insult. He can blitz and can’t cover the problem is a linebacker should be good at securing tackles.
He has been a LB for the last three years…one that doesn’t cover very well!
A factor? He was released in a cash saving move and also didn’t perform. When he signed he had no concerns and I’m sure his role was discussed on team. He was paid a huge salary. Sounds like someone trying to shift blame for missed playing time and not performing from himself and put on team. When he joined team I was excited to see him in the defense but that soon changed.
I would rather be in the LB mix in Seattle than the third safety in Tennessee. Oh, well! Time to turn that page anyway!
He’s gone, who cares. It’s not like it’s insulting to be asked to play a different role. Not to mention he was hurt more than he played his last few years.
Sammy Baugh was a 3 position HOFer who was paid chump change compared to what prima donnas like Adams are getting. That’s where the insult exists.
I’d argue that Deone Buchanan started the current trend, Thomas Davis notwithstanding.
But as for Adams, he should have done so. In that scheme especially, he wasn’t going to be able to perform his coverage duties. I don’t know if he’d have been able to if he had continued in New York, or if he just naturally lost his athleticism or if his injuries were to blame, but at the end of the day it was clear that Adams was not able to cover as a safety in Seattle. A move to linebacker would have played more to his strengths and exposed him less in his weaknesses, and may have allowed him to redeem at least some of his dwindling value.
This article didn’t mention about his anger issue on the field, which is another liability from him. Playing with intensity is good if he doesn’t hurt the team with unsportsman penalties.
Only complete fools think they can cheap shot opponents and escape retribution.
The trade to get Adams was the worst trade in Seahawks franchise history.