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New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas insists safety Jamal Adams didn't talk his way out of the team as they traded him only because they received an offer they couldn't pass up. Adams is considered one of the best players on his position and the Jets traded him to the Seattle Seahawks in an exchange that included two first round picks and safety Bradley McDougald.
Adams, who has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, was vocal about his desire to leave the team for the past few months and he was doing everything he could to force his way out of New York. In an interview with the New York Daily News last week, Adams suggested the Jets promised him a new contract but when it came to reaching one this offseason the team backed down.
"I want to make it clear: I never promised an offer to Jamal or his agent, nor was I ever dishonest with any communications with their camp," Douglas said Monday in a conference call with reporters, as quoted on ESPN. Adams was clearly unhappy with the Jets organization and he was using every possible chance to take a shot at the team that drafted him in the 2017 NFL draft.
"Look, this is a business and you don't take things personally," Douglas said. "Obviously, there's a reason why those things were said. I don't take those things personally. I don't think anyone took those things personally. ...
I can promise you, that didn't affect us with any of our decision-making over the past week. "For us, I certainly don't think this is a precedent for a player to shoot his way out of town. I'm not concerned about that precedent."
Douglas defends coach Adam Gase
The trade came just a day after Adams ripped coach Gase, saying the Jets coach "is not the right leader "But, obviously, we received an offer that was too difficult to pass up," Douglas said.
"We decided to move forward with that decision. "I especially believe in coach Gase. I think he's the right coach to lead this team, having watched him work last year and see him and his staff overcome a 1-7 start. I feel really good about where we are with him and his leadership."