History of Jamal Adams in Timeline
Jamal Lee Adams is an American football safety currently not affiliated with any team. He played college football for LSU before being drafted by the New York Jets in 2017 as the sixth overall pick. Adams became a star player for the Jets, earning two Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro title. In 2021, he signed a lucrative four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks worth $72 million, including a $20 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed. This deal made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time.
1985: George Adams' NFL Career Begins
Jamal Adams' father, George Adams, began his NFL career as a running back in 1985.
1991: George Adams' NFL Career Ends
George Adams, Jamal Adams' father, ended his NFL career in 1991.
October 17, 1995: Jamal Adams Born
Jamal Lee Adams was born on October 17, 1995.
2014: Debut Season at LSU
Jamal Adams played in all 13 games as a true freshman at LSU in 2014, starting in two, and made 66 tackles and one sack.
2015: Last Seahawks Safety Duo in Pro Bowl
The last time a Seattle Seahawks safety duo was selected for the Pro Bowl was in 2015, with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
January 6, 2017: Enters 2017 NFL Draft
Jamal Adams announced on January 6, 2017, that he would forgo his senior season at LSU and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
May 4, 2017: LSU Pro Day
Jamal Adams attended LSU's pro day on May 4, 2017, and significantly improved his combine numbers, running the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds.
July 20, 2017: Signs with New York Jets
Jamal Adams signed a four-year, $22.25 million contract with the New York Jets on July 20, 2017.
2017: NFL Debut
Jamal Adams made his NFL debut and first career start in the Jets' season opener against the Buffalo Bills in 2017.
2017: Drafted into the NFL
Jamal Adams was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2017 NFL draft, becoming the first defensive back selected that year.
2017: New York Jets Draft Pick
The New York Jets selected Jamal Adams in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
2018: Jets Captain and First Interception
Jamal Adams was named captain of the Jets for the 2018 season and got his first career interception against the Detroit Lions in the season opener.
September 18, 2019: Fine and First Pick Six
Jamal Adams was fined $21,000 for a hit on Baker Mayfield in Week 3, but the fine was later rescinded. He also recorded his first career pick six, a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Patriots in the same week.
2019: Pro Bowl and Mascot Incident
Jamal Adams was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2019 and was named Defensive MVP of the game. He also made headlines for tackling the New England Patriots mascot during a Pro Bowl practice.
2019: Ranked 37th on NFL Top 100
Jamal Adams was ranked 37th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019 list.
April 17, 2020: Skips Voluntary Offseason Program
Jamal Adams skipped the entirety of the Jets' voluntary virtual offseason program without a contract extension on April 17, 2020.
April 27, 2020: Fifth-Year Option Picked Up
The Jets picked up the fifth-year option on Jamal Adams' contract on April 27, 2020.
June 12, 2020: Publicly Criticizes Jets on Contract Talks
Jamal Adams publicly criticized the Jets on Instagram regarding his desire for a contract extension on June 12, 2020.
June 18, 2020: Requests Trade from Jets
Jamal Adams officially requested to be traded from the Jets on June 18, 2020.
July 2020: Criticizes Jets Head Coach and General Manager
In July 2020, Jamal Adams gave an interview with the New York Daily News in which he heavily criticized Jets head coach Adam Gase and general manager Joe Douglas.
July 25, 2020: Traded to Seattle Seahawks
Jamal Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for safety Bradley McDougald and multiple draft picks on July 25, 2020.
December 21, 2020: Third Pro Bowl Selection
Jamal Adams was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl on December 21, 2020, making him and teammate Quandre Diggs the first safety tandem to make the Pro Bowl together since Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in 2015.
2020: Record for Sacks by a Defensive Back
Jamal Adams set a record in 2020 for the most sacks by a defensive back in a single season, with 9.5 sacks.
August 17, 2021: Signs Four-Year Deal with Seahawks
Jamal Adams signed a four-year contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks on August 17, 2021, valued at $72 million, with a $20 million signing bonus.
November 14, 2021: First Interception with Seahawks
Jamal Adams recorded his first interception of the season, picking off Aaron Rodgers in a loss to the Green Bay Packers on November 14, 2021.
December 10, 2021: Placed on Injured Reserve
Jamal Adams was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn labrum in a game against the San Francisco 49ers on December 10, 2021.
2021: Highest Paid Safety in the NFL
Jamal Adams signed a four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks, worth $72 million, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at that time.
2021: Seahawks Use Draft Picks in Adams Trade
The Seattle Seahawks used the draft picks acquired in the Jamal Adams trade to select players in the 2021 NFL Draft.
September 15, 2022: Season-Ending Injury
Jamal Adams suffered a season-ending torn quad tendon during the Seahawks' Week 1 win against the Denver Broncos and was placed on injured reserve on September 15, 2022.
2022: Seahawks Use Draft Pick to Select Garrett Wilson
The Seattle Seahawks used the first-round draft pick acquired in the Jamal Adams trade to select wide receiver Garrett Wilson in the 2022 NFL draft.
March 5, 2024: Released by Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks released Jamal Adams on March 5, 2024.