When healthy, Jamal Adams can certainly help the Seattle Seahawks contend on any day of the week. The thing is, he has been sidelined by injuries, limiting the safety’s impact on the field.
The Seahawks signed the safety to a four-year $70.5 million contract in 2020 with the hopes that he’ll be an absolute monster on defense. Instead, Adam’s constant injuries have limited his performance throughout his stint in Seattle.
Seattle Seahawks, Jamal Adams
Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Just last season, Adams only notched 48 tackles, two pass breakups, and seven tackles for loss in nine games. Furthermore, the Seahawks safety has not forced a turnover against any opposing team since 2021.
All in all, Adams has only played for a total of 34 games over the course of four seasons in Seattle. Despite putting up high tackle counts, the injuries he has suffered greatly hindered his ability to play safety for the Seahawks.Ezoic
Why The Seattle Seahawks Need To Let Jamal Adams Walk Away
Seattle Seahawks, Jamal Adams
Nov 29, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) reacts after recording an interception against the Washington Football Team during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
At this point in time, it’s safe to say the Jamal Adams experiment isn’t working out for Seattle. Brady Henderson gives a good reason why the Seahawks should let the safety go in his contribution to an ESPN article:Ezoic
“More than anything, Adams needs a change of injury luck after missing 34 out of a possible 69 games (including playoffs) over his four seasons in Seattle. He hasn’t recorded a sack since he set the single-season record for a defensive back with 9.5 in 2020.
Even if the Seahawks feel he can finally get back to full strength from his 2022 torn quad tendon and want to see whether Mike Macdonald’s defense can get him back to his Pro Bowl form, they’ll have to do something to lower his $26.9 million cap charge — perhaps asking him to take a pay cut that lowers his $16.5 million base salary,” Henderson wrote.
If the Seahawks want to make the playoffs next year, they have to improve their 25th-ranked defense first. That isn’t going to happen with Adams still in the lineup, making it necessary to let him walk away in the offseason.
Seattle Seahawks, Jamal Adams
Nov 21, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) pumps up the crowd prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Arizona defeated Seattle 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports