AFC East Report: The Jets’ best player, Jamal Adams, has been traded to the Seahawks

While the New England Patriots were consistently among the best teams in the NFL over the last decade, the New York Jets found themselves on the other end of the spectrum repeatedly. In fact, the team picked in the top-10 of the draft four times over the last six years. While one of those four selections did not work out for the team (Leonard Williams), and the jury is still out on two others (Sam Darnold, Quinnen Williams), one has developed into a bona fide player: Jamal Adams.

Selected sixth overall in 2017, the LSU product has become one of the NFL’s better safeties and a beacon of hope for the Jets organization. Adams has appeared in 46 of a possible 48 games so far in his career, and has proven himself a versatile playmaker in New York’s defensive backfield — one that was voted to two Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro for his play during the 2019 season. In short, Adams has been impressive and one of the better first-round selections in 2017.

And now, he is a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

As first reported by Jets beat writer Brian Costello of the New York Post on Saturday, the team has decided to trade the 24-year-old safety to Seattle. While the move leaves the club without its best player and possibly best draft pick since Darrelle Revis in 2007, general manager Joe Douglas did secure a solid return for Adams from the Seahawks: the Jets have received a pair of first-round draft picks — one in 2021, one in 2022 — as well as a third-rounder next year and safety Bradley McDougald.

The trade itself is the final chapter in a saga that has been going on for quite some time. Adams repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the Jets over the course of the offseason after the organization decided against giving him a long-term contract extension. Last month, this led the young defender to asking New York for a trade — one that was granted one day after he openly directed criticism at head coach Adam Gase for his handling of the team.

While the move has added some noticeable draft capital for the Jets’ front office to work with in the next two years, the short-term consequences of Adam’s departure will undoubtably be felt. While McDougald is a solid player, the 29-year-old does neither have the upside and youth nor the elite skillset to properly replace Adams. Instead, New York’s defense will have to move forward with one additional question mark — possibly putting more pressure on the offensive side of the ball.

Adams, meanwhile, will become a starter in the Seahawks’ secondary and in Week 2 of the regular season face off against an old foe of his — one he has yet to beat: the Patriots, against whom he is 0-6 in his career, will visit CenturyLink Field.