Sunday’s matchup between the winless Jets and their heavily-favored opponent, the 8-4 Seattle Seahawks (currently 13.5-point home favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook), is not appointment viewing by any stretch, though the game does offer one intriguing plot line with All-Pro safety Jamal Adams facing his former team for the first time.
In spite of injuries, Adams has enjoyed a strong debut season in Seattle, amassing 7.5 sacks—unheard-of for an NFL defensive back—for his new team. Adams’ departure from the Jets this offseason was hardly amicable with the former LSU Tiger essentially going scorched Earth on the team that drafted him sixth overall in 2017, dragging head coach Adam Gase and owner Woody Johnson, among other members of the organization, on his way out of town. Gase seemed flummoxed by the very public and decidedly harsh criticism he received from Adams, believing the two were on good terms.
When pressed on the subject at Friday’s press conference, Adams insisted he harbors no hard feelings toward his former coach and would shake Gase’s hand if he approached him Sunday. However, Adams stopped short of apologizing for his earlier remarks, again acknowledging Gase’s shortcomings as a head coach.
“I have no problem with Adam Gase,” said Adams via ESPN’s Brady Henderson, claiming the two had a “solid” relationship during their one season together. “I just feel he didn't handle certain situations well as a head coach. That's just my opinion. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, just like you guys are. Everybody's entitled to an opinion and that's the world we live in. But like I said, I have no hate towards Adam."
If Adams has any lingering animosity for the team he left behind, that vitriol is reserved for the Jets’ front office, who refused to acknowledge the disgruntled 25-year-old’s salary demands. “The guys that make the decisions over there, they just didn't value me like Seattle does,” said Adams, explaining what led to his trade request, which the Jets ultimately granted. “I'm just happy to be where I am and I have an organization that believes in me, believes I can get it done and thinks highly of me. That's all I can ask for, man. It's just all about respect for me."
At the time, Gase called the trade a “win win” for all involved, though so far, the Jets haven’t seen much return on their investment. New York enters the week with only four more chances to avoid becoming the third 0-16 team in NFL history. The Jets came achingly close to ending their dry spell last week but couldn’t close out the Raiders, falling on a demoralizing Derek Carr Hail Mary in the final seconds.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram