The Jets may be looking to deal a safety, and not Jamal Adams.
According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Jets have had trade discussions involving Marcus Maye.
Per Mehta, head coach Adam Gase wanted to trade Maye upon getting hired last season -- before general manager Joe Douglas was at the helm -- but was talked out of it. Over the past year, Douglas had fielded trade inquiries on the free safety, too, but ultimately decided to stick with him.
Maye was the Jets' second-round draft pick after they selected Adams in 2017, and the two have become a formidable duo in the Jets' secondary – although Maye missed most of 2018 due to injuries.
While Maye does not have the Pro Bowls and accolades of Adams, he has stoll proven to be a reliable part of the Jets' defense.
Last season, Maye had 65 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception in 16 games.
Leading up to the NFL Draft, it was Adams whose name surfaced in trade rumors as the All-Pro safety has made it clear he wants a contract extension and is not participating in the team's virtual offseason program.
But with Douglas stating he wants to make Adams a Jet for life, and selecting Cal safety Ashtyn Davis in the third round of the draft, it could very well signal that Maye will be the odd man out.
Of course, one of the reasons why the Jets selected Davis was for his versatility, and it is possible defensive coordinator Gregg Williams could find ways to use all three players in the secondary.
But Maye's contract expires at the end of the 2020 season. The Jets recently exercised Adams' fifth-year option, but if the team intends to make him the highest-paid safety in the league, it raises the question if the Jets can afford to keep both players long term.
