It was reported almost a month ago that a Jamal Adams extension with the Seahawks could be imminent, and that something was likely to get done around the start of training camp. That apparently might not longer be the case.
Negotiations between Adams’ camp and the Seahawks have been “slow-going”, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on SportsCenter recently, via Corbin K. Smith of SI.com. Fowler said that it’s “a situation that could bleed through training camp, even possibly close to Week 1,” according to NBC Sports Edge. Adams is apparently “willing to bet on himself,” and Seattle understands that.
We heard recently that Adams wasn’t just looking to become the league’s highest-paid safety, he was looking to enter a tier of his own. The sixth overall pick of the 2017 draft reportedly wants to be treated like his own unique position and not be grouped in with other safeties on the market.
Given his historic pass-rushing production from the safety position, it’s understandable. Meanwhile, John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle writes that it’s “pretty clear” the two sides “are not close to a contract extension.” Clayton thinks Adams’ deal “should come in” around $16MM a year, but that if he wants $17-18MM, that “would be a problem for the Seahawks.”
The former LSU and Jets star has some leverage here, since the Seahawks gave up two first-round picks to trade for him last July. It would be a very bad look for the franchise if they weren’t able to lock him up long-term. With training camp rapidly approaching, we should hear a lot more soon.
One factor complicating the Seahawks‘ Jamal Adams talks: the Pro Bowl safety wanting not only to become the highest-paid player at the position but seeking to end up on his own financial tier. Adams does not want to be viewed as a pure safety, and thus be confined to the position’s salary range, Corry adds. Adams does not rate as a top-tier coverage safety, but he is a historically productive pass rusher for the position and is used in myriad capacities. With Seattle having traded two first-rounders for him, a deal is expected to come to fruition soon.
Although the Seahawks’ apex occurred during the 2010s, the franchise has a few Hall of Famers whose careers wrapped up before Pete Carroll‘s arrival. One of them signed his final (and most lucrative) extension on July 8, 1998.
Twenty-three years ago today, the Seahawks reached an agreement to retain Cortez Kennedy. A perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Kennedy agreed to a three-year deal worth $17MM. Kennedy’s third Seattle contract contained a $6MM signing bonus and marked a raise from his previous accord.
The Seahawks’ first Kennedy extension took place in the initial year of the free agency era (1993). That four-year, $12.6MM pact put the dominant D-lineman on track for free agency after the 1998 season. But the Seahawks worked proactively to prevent a Kennedy free agency bid, and the summer ’98 extension allowed him to play his entire career in Seattle.
Part of the Miami Hurricanes’ 1980s dominance, Kennedy came to Seattle as the No. 3 overall pick in 1990. The Seahawks held two top-10 choices that year and sent both to the Patriots to move into the top three for Kennedy. He rewarded the move.
Although the then-AFC West franchise hit a rough patch, with its issues finding a quarterback at the epicenter of what became 10-season playoff drought, Kennedy more than delivered. The interior pass rusher ripped off a dominant stretch that crested with a 14-sack 1992 season. Despite the Seahawks finishing 2-14 that year, Kennedy earned Defensive Player of the Year acclaim.
Kennedy made every Pro Bowl from 1991-96 and booked his final two Hawaii trips over the course of his July 1998 extension. (Kennedy’s eight Pro Bowls rank second in Seahawks history, behind fellow Hall of Famer Walter Jones‘ nine.) After an injury-marred 1997, Kennedy returned to play in 47 of a possible 48 games during his final three seasons. His lone playoff appearance also occurred during this stretch, with a Jon Kitna-quarterbacked Seattle team winning the AFC West title in 1999. Kennedy recorded 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss that year.
After the Seahawks released Kennedy in March 2001 — three days following the signing of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle — the 11-year veteran called it a career. Although Kennedy and Randle were never teammates in Seattle, they were voted as the two first-team defensive tackles on the 1990s’ All-Decade team. Only Randle accumulated more sacks among D-tackles during the ’90s. Kennedy finished his career with 58 QB takedowns and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
After attempting to trade for Aldon Smith ahead of last year’s deadline, the Seahawks signed him in April. The talented pass rusher, however, has not enjoyed a smooth offseason in Seattle.
In addition to being booked on a battery charge less than a week after agreeing to terms with the Seahawks, Smith did not participate in Seattle’s offseason program. The 31-year-old defensive end did not view himself as being in sufficient shape to participate, and Brady Henderson of ESPN.com notes the Seahawks gave him permission to skip minicamp. Smith has not been arraigned for the incident in New Orleans.
Given the off-field issues that sidetracked Smith’s career during his time with the 49ers and Raiders, the minicamp absence — excused or not — should not provide a good sign regarding the embattled pass rusher’s status with his new team. The former All-Pro edge defender should not be considered a lock to make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster, with Henderson adding the Seahawks view Smith as a luxury rather than a player they will count on this season.
Smith signed a one-year deal worth $1.12MM, with just $137K guaranteed, and his contract came during an offseason in which the Seahawks were busy on their defensive front. Seattle re-signed Carlos Dunlap and Benson Mayowa and added Kerry Hyder after his productive 49ers season. The team also has former first-round pick L.J. Collier at defensive end. While Smith’s ceiling may still be higher than some of his new D-line teammates’, a rocky offseason may well work against him.
Smith did play 16 games with the Cowboys last season, recording five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, and started throughout despite missing four full seasons due to a suspension. But his status with the Seahawks will be worth monitoring during the leadup to the regular season.
We heard yesterday that the Seahawks cut wideout Tamorrion Terry, and we’re now learning the startling details that led to the transaction. Per court records obtained by the Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley, the former FSU receiver was among 11 defendants named in a grand jury indictment regarding the killing of a 21-year-old woman in 2018.
In June of 2018, a gang-related shooting took place at a nightclub in Ashburn, Georgia, leading to at least seven people getting shot. One of those seven individuals was the murder victim, and the 11 defendants have each been charged with with “felony murder, a charge applicable when a death, even accidental, occurs in the commission of a felony” (per Beasley).
ESPN’s David Hale writes that Terry is expected to turn himself in to authorities. The 23-year-old had reportedly cooperated throughout the investigation, and his camp is confident that he’ll ultimately be cleared.
The shooting took place the summer before Terry’s redshirt season at FSU. He ended up having a standout collegiate career at Florida State, hauling in 118 receptions for 2,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was known for his speed and YAC-prowess, holding an FSU record for most touchdowns of 70+ yards (five). His nine touchdowns of 50+ yards was tied for the second-highest ACC mark in more than a decade.
Terry joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but the wideout was limited at minicamp and OTAs with a hip injury. It was a bit of a surprise when the receiver wasn’t cut with an injury designation, but today’s developments obviously provided an explanation. The Seahawks clearly moved quickly when they learned of the indictment.
Terry had a standout collegiate career at Florida State, hauling in 118 receptions for 2,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was known for his speed and YAC-prowess, holding an FSU record for most touchdowns of 70+ yards (five). His nine touchdowns of 50+ yards was tied for the second-highest ACC mark in more than a decade.
Terry joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, but the wideout was limited at minicamp and OTAs with a hip injury. For what it’s worth, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets that the receiver wasn’t waived with an injury designation.
Diggs reported to minicamp and participated in all of the assigned drills, but he wants a new pact to reflect his performance. As it stands, he’s set to enter the final year of the three-year, $18.6MM deal he originally signed with Detroit. Diggs is fresh off of his first ever Pro Bowl selection — last year, he notched five interceptions and ten passes defensed, solidifying himself as one of the stronger safeties in the NFL. Meanwhile, his salary ranks 19th at the position.
The Seahawks don’t have much of a contingency plan if Diggs leaves, and they haven’t been able to draft well for the safety position outside of Earl Thomas in 2010. The Seahawks certainly want to keep Diggs, but a new deal for the 28-year-old would probably cost north of $12MM. If they don’t lock Diggs up now, they’ll run the risk of a much higher price tag. The Seahawks should also be motivated to get a deal done before other safeties sign their next deals. Marcus Maye (Jets) and Marcus Williams (Saints) are both gunning for extensions to replace their one-year, $10.6MM tag for 2021.
Still, the Seahawks will have to rank and balance their priorities. In addition to Adams and Diggs, they could also explore an extension for veteran lineman Duane Brown.
While the Chiefs reside as the clear favorites in the AFC, multiple successful rebuilds have strengthened the conference and created considerable depth going into the 2021 season. In the NFC, depth is harder to find.
The Buccaneers operated aggressively this offseason, bringing back every starter and most of their top off-the-bench contributors to chase another championship, and late-June betting odds reflect this. Tampa Bay resides as the clear NFC favorite, per Las Vegas. The team did not enter 2020 on this pedestal, but the NFC landscape looks less imposing a year later.
The Saints exited the 2020 season in a new tier of salary cap hell, and although GM Mickey Loomis navigated it, their 2021 team may take a step back. Oddsmakers certainly believe this will be the case in the franchise’s first post-Drew Brees season. New Orleans has been the NFC’s most consistent team over the past four years, going 49-15 in that span, but its future Hall of Fame quarterback retired. Tampa Bay’s path back to the Super Bowl also may not involve another Canton-bound passer — Aaron Rodgers — which further muddles the equation.
January’s Matthew Stafford trade seems a good place to start. The Rams dealing two first-round picks and change for the longtime Lions passer provides Sean McVay with a quarterback upgrade, and the team perpetually unconcerned with first-round selections is operating like an all-in contender. Los Angeles, which Bovada gives the NFC’s second-best odds to advance to Super Bowl LVI, also re-signed top edge rusher Leonard Floyd. While the Rams’ penchant for big swings and big extensions led more key role players out of town in free agency, with safety John Johnson and defensive lineman Michael Brockers exiting, they return four starters from Pro Football Focus’ No. 3-ranked offensive line.
But the NFC West may be the NFL’s toughest division. No rebuilds are taking place here, separating it from most of the league’s divisions, and the 49ers rank alongside the Rams — per Bovada — in Super Bowl odds. San Francisco endured vicious injury fortune last season but has Super Bowl LIV starters — Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel — due back from injury. And the team kept Trent Williams — on an O-line-record contract. Kyle Shanahan‘s squad also moved the needle at quarterback, bringing in Trey Lanceat a historic cost. Lance’s readiness may determine the 49ers’ outlook. Although Jimmy Garoppolo was effective (12th in QBR) when fully healthy in 2019, he missed 23 games over the past three seasons.
The Seahawks diffused Russell Wilson trade rumblings and added veteran guard Gabe Jackson. Their defense will be without Jarran Reed and probably K.J. Wright next season, however. Seattle has not advanced to an NFC championship game since Wilson’s rookie-contract years but still has the division’s most accomplished quarterback. The Cardinals brought in multiple impact starters, in future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt and Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson, in an effort to capitalize on Kyler Murray‘s rookie-deal window. But Murray struggled down the stretch last season, and Arizona will have two new cornerback regulars.
Rodgers’ commitment to being done in Green Bay represents the NFC’s biggest domino. The reigning MVP has not budged, and this standoff is expected to drag on to training camp. The Packers trading Rodgers, or the superstar passer being out of the picture while the team retains his rights, will probably take them off the board as a Super Bowl threat. Given the Packers’ 26-6 performance over the past two seasons, Rodgers’ status looms large in this year’s Super Bowl equation.
What sleeper teams realistically factor in here? The Cowboys extended Dak Prescott and hired a new defensive coordinator (Dan Quinn), but they have won one playoff game during their now-wealthy starter’s tenure and allowed a franchise-record 473 points in 2020. Washington boasts one of the league’s best defenses but opted against trading up for a quarterback in Round 1. Ryan Fitzpatrickwill turn 39 this year and has never made a playoff start. The Bears did trade up for a passer, and the Vikings retooled their defense. The Giants made multiple splashy receiver additions but have big questions up front. Do any of these teams qualify as legit Bucs obstacles?
Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your NFC assessments in the comments section.
The Bills will take a flier on a former Seahawks third-round pick. They signed defensive lineman Nazair Jones on Tuesday, adding him to the roster after defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. suffered an Achilles injury during minicamp.
Cox is now on IR, and Jones will attempt to make his way back to the field. The North Carolina alum has not played in a regular-season game since the 2018 season.
The Seahawks drafted both Jones and fellow interior D-lineman Malik McDowellduring the 2017 draft’s second day, adding the former late in Round 3. Jones started two games as a rookie, registering two sacks and three tackles for loss. Injuries intervened soon after. A foot injury ended Jones’ rookie year, and a knee malady sent him to IR ahead of the 2019 season. The Seahawks waived Jones just after the 2020 draft.
Buffalo signed ex-Jones Seahawks teammate Quinton Jefferson last year but moved on after one season. The Bills are still fairly deep at defensive tackle. Star Lotulelei is back after his 2020 opt-out; he joins former first-round picks Ed Oliver and Vernon Butler and ex-third-rounder Harrison Phillips on Buffalo’s defensive interior.
This mix will also include Eli Ankou, who joins Smith as a defensive tackle headed to Buffalo. A former UDFA, Ankou has played 27 games (two starts) since 2017. The UCLA alum suited up for seven games with the Cowboys last season.
An agreement may be on the immediate horizon. All signs are pointing to an extension being finalized around the start of training camp, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Adams is going into a contract year; he is set to earn $9.86MM on the fifth-year option.
Given what Seattle traded to acquire Adams — 2021 and ’22 first-round picks, a ’21 third and safety Bradley McDougald — it can be easily assumed the impending extension will make him the NFL’s highest-paid safety. Justin Simmons currently holds that distinction, after signing a four-year Broncos deal worth $61MM. Adams will surely try to move the price north by a notable margin.
The Seahawks have authorized top-market extensions before, giving Russell Wilson a then-NFL-record $35MM-per-year deal in April 2019 and extending Bobby Wagner at the current off-ball linebacker high-water mark ($18MM AAV). They appear poised to include Adams in this blueprint. Wagner signed his current deal around the start of Seattle’s 2019 training camp and agreed to his 2015 extension in early August of that year. Wilson’s first extension (in 2015) occurred days before Wagner’s.
The Seahawks also might create a bit more cap space ahead of an Adams deal, with Carroll also signaling the team’s interest in keeping Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brownbeyond his 2021 contract year.
Adams thrives as a box safety and set a position record with 9.5 sacks last season. This unique skill set, while leaving some coverage skills to be desired, figures to factor into the 25-year-old defender’s negotiations. The former Jets top-10 pick began extension discussions way back in January 2020, when he was still a Jet, but talks paused and the Jets traded him to Seattle. The Seahawks communicated to Adams a preference he play on his rookie deal last season. Adams did so and made his third straight Pro Bowl. His second NFL team looks set to reward him.
