Adam Gase couldn’t dodge Jamal Adams forever. The former Jets safety had plenty to say about his then-coach this past summer, blasting Gase in comments to the New York Daily News. Mere days after Adams asserted Gase wasn’t “the right leader for this organization,” the disgruntled star was jettisoned to Seattle, arriving in a blockbuster swap that netted New York a pair of first-round picks.
While Adams has acclimated nicely to life as a Seahawk—he leads all NFL defensive backs with 7.5 sacks, a remarkable figure considering he’s only suited up for eight games—Gase and the Jets are in freefall, coming off 12 consecutive losses, none more painful than Sunday’s collapse against Las Vegas. Derek Carr’s miracle, 46-yard touchdown strike to Henry Ruggs in the game’s final moments not only cost defensive coordinator Gregg Williams his job, but it also dampened the Jets’ hopes of avoiding a winless season.
Gase, who, in all likelihood, will have a pink slip waiting for him in his mailbox come Black Monday, is headed to the Pacific Northwest this weekend to face the Seahawks, marking Adams’ first encounter with his former team. Predictably, the embattled coach was asked Thursday why his relationship with Adams went south. Unfortunately, when it comes to determining the root of Adams’ beef with Gase, your guess is as good as his.
“I thought it was good, but obviously he felt different,” said Gase via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “I never had a poor interaction with him. He was somebody I talked to a lot and communicated with.”
Gase seemed bitter in the aftermath of Adams’ departure this summer, implying the Jets were better off without him. “We want guys who want to be here,” Gase said at the time. “Obviously, he didn’t want to be here anymore.”
Coming off his second All-Pro selection in three years, Adams thought he deserved a raise. When the Jets wouldn’t give him one, the former LSU Tiger wreaked havoc on the organization, avoiding team activities while publicly ripping Gase and long-time owner Woody Johnson. “I’m not in charge of contracts,” said Gase, who admitted to being taken aback by Adams’ criticism. “It just surprised me. But it is what it is.”
As bleak as things are for the Jets, New York is coming off one of its better offensive showings of the season in Week 13 and should have a chance to put more points on the board Sunday against a Seahawks secondary that hasn’t exactly struck fear in opponents (league-worst 3,717 passing yards allowed). FanDuel Sportsbook has installed the 0-12 Jets as 13.5-point road underdogs at Seattle.
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