NY Jets: Joe Douglas calls Jamal Adams a ‘dog’ and a ‘core player’

Earlier today, NY Jets general manager Joe Douglas had some kind words for safety Jamal Adams, calling the 24-year-old a “dog” and a “core player.”

Late last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter caused a bit of a stir among NY Jets fans when he reported that “All-Pro safety Jamal Adams is not expected to participate” in the NFL’s voluntary virtual offseason program.

Schefter also reported that the Jets had “not expressed any official interest in extending Adams thus far in the offseason.”

Adams, undeniably one of the Jets’ top players, has had a bit of an up-and-down year with the organization given that he was the topic of trade rumors a few months ago around the trade deadline. This led to a bit of a rift between the young safety and Douglas and head coach Adam Gase.

As the season neared its end, however, things seemed to be better between all parties involved, which is why Schefter’s recent report gained quite a bit of attention.

And to no surprise, Adams and the idea of him being traded was once again quite a topic of discussion at Douglas’ press conference earlier this week prior to Thursday’s 2020 NFL Draft.

According to the general manager, however, nothing has changed in regards to the way he views Adams and the state of the Jets.

“The plan would be for Jamal to be here long term. Again, I’ve also made it known I have to do what’s in the best interest of the team. If other teams call to talk about players, I’ll listen. Going into this draft, my intent isn’t to move any players. But if a team calls, we’re going to have conversations. I don’t view it as hedging. I view it as doing my job.”

And earlier today, Douglas continued to make it seem as if he wants to keep Adams in green and white for the foreseeable future. Appearing on an edition of the Bart & Hahn Show, he labeled Adams as a “core player” and said that the goal is to build around him.

“He was a big reason I was excited about coming here. I feel this guy is a core player. … The main goal that I’m trying to do right now is to surround him with like-minded players, because we know Jamal is a dog. We have to surround him with guys that play as hard as he does, that love football as much as he does and can match his intensity.”

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Adams has certainly earned this praise as well, as he finished the 2018 season with 86 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12 pass deflections, and one interception.

He then finished the 2019 campaign with 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, and one interception, while being selected for the Pro Bowl in both seasons.

An incredibly dynamic player both on and off the field, Adams is undoubtedly the type of player that teams look to build around. However, he remains under contract for the next two years, giving the Jets leverage in contract extension talks at the moment.

And as Douglas mentioned, his job is to do what’s best for the team as a whole. As of now, however, it appears as if he’s interested in keeping Jamal Adams around.