Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider recently mentioned on a local radio show that he has not ruled out bringing back safety Jamal Adams, but doing so in a new role.
According to Pro Football Talk, Seahawks General Manager John Schneider was asked on his weekly radio appearance on Seattle Sports 710 about “keeping tabs” on Adams.
Adams, though, could play a new position rather than safety. Linebacker is what Schneider had in mind.
“Yeah, I mean when we acquired him, that’s what we were thinking, he was a WILL [weakside] linebacker,” Schneider said, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
According to Pro Football Focus, Adams played 518 snaps last season, with only 85 at free safety. He had 183 in the slot and 208 in the box.
Schneider offered nothing specific about whether the Seahawks would be interested in that.
Seattle Seahawks trade for Adams
In July 2020, the Jets traded the star defensive back and a 2022 fourth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for safety Bradley McDougald, a first—and third-round pick in 2021, and a 2022 first-round pick.
The Seahawks later announced a deal with Jamal. Adams signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Seahawks, including a $20 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed. His average annual salary was $17.6 million.
The trade is thought to be one of the worst non-quarterback trades in NFL History. In four seasons with the Seahawks, Adams played 34 games and missed 33 due to injury. He never returned to the All-Pro caliber play he showed he was capable of while on the Jets.
New Regime in Seattle
Part of the issue in bringing Jamal Adams back is Seattle’s entirely new coaching staff. Mike Macdonald was hired to take over the long-tenured Pete Carroll. If Seattle decided to have Adams back in the building, he would have to buy into new coaches and possibly a new position.