NEW YORK _ Jamal Adams will be a virtual holdout.
ESPN reported that Adams will not take part in the Jets' offseason program that begins April 27. It is voluntary, but according to ESPN, Adams will be skipping the virtual program because he is upset that the Jets have not "expressed any official interest" in extending his contract.
Players are working out on their own this spring with practice facilities closed and no group on-field activities permitted due to COVID-19. All team activities, such as classroom, will be done virtually. But Adams' anticipated absence is significant and could make next week's draft even more interesting for the Jets, who listened to trade offers for their best player last year.
Adams, 24, is in the fourth year of his rookie deal that will pay him $3.5 million in 2020, and is eligible for an extension. The No. 6 pick in 2017, Adams wants to be the highest-paid safety. He made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons and was First-Team All-Pro last year. The Bears set the market for safeties when they gave Eddie Jackson a four-year, $58 million contract after the season, making him the highest paid at his position.
During Super Bowl week, Adams reiterated his desire to remain with the Jets and sign a long-term deal. He said the Jets and his representatives had preliminary discussions, and he sounded confident something would get done. "I'd be lying if I said I don't expect to be extended. I do," Adams said at the time.
At the NFL combine a few weeks later, Jets general manager Joe Douglas also said he had preliminary talks with Adams' agent. Douglas added, "the plan is for Jamal to be a Jet for life." Earlier this month, however, Douglas indicated that no progress had been made because the focus has been on "free agency, finishing up free agency and the draft."
The NFL draft is Thursday and this situation once again opens up the possibility of the Jets having trade discussions that involve Adams.
The safety was upset during the season that Douglas entertained trade offers before the deadline. He voiced his displeasure, saying he felt he should be untouchable, comparing himself to former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald. Adams went several days without speaking to Douglas and head coach Adam Gase. But the parties eventually hashed out their differences.
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson also said he wants Adams to be a Jet for life. But Johnson also said he would leave those decisions to Douglas.
The Jets have four of the top 79 picks in Thursday's draft, and many roster holes to fill. Dealing Adams for players and draft capital would certainly help Douglas in his efforts to rebuild the team, if that's what he decides to do.
One of the NFL's best safeties, Adams likely would garner plenty of interest. The Cowboys were one of the teams pursuing Adams, a Dallas native, before last year's deadline.
Adams is coming off his best season as he became a dominant force in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' system. Adams set a franchise record for defensive backs with 6.5 sacks and finished second on the Jets with 75 tackles despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
