The Seattle Seahawks have already made several changes to their defense in advance of the 2023 season, bringing in Bobby Wagner, Dre’Mont Jones and Julian Love. While additional moves are expected, safety Jamal Adams’ future in Seattle appears to be secure.
Adams, one of the highest-paid NFL players in 2023, suffered a torn quad tendon in Week 1 last season. it forced the three-time Pro Bowl selection to miss the remainder of the season and his absence had a significant impact on Seattle’s defense.
- Seattle Seahawks defense (2022): 24.6 PPG allowed (25th), 5.6 yards per play allowed (23rd), 151.9 rush ypg allowed (30th), 4.9 yards per carry allowed (26th)
Playing without one of the best run-stopping defensive backs in the NFL, Seattle missed its standout safety. After playing without him in 2022, the Seahawks added Jones, Wagner and Love to fortify the run defense.
Despite Adams’ $18.1 million cap hit and increasing durability and production issues, Seahawks’ coach Pete Carroll made it clear where things stand. Adams will be back in 2023 and there is a role for him on the defense.
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“It sounds like he’s doing great. He’s pushing it and he’s going to try to bust whatever projections that would keep him from … being ready for the start of the season. He’s looking to get that done. We’re counting on it, hoping it.”
Seattle Seahawks coach Peter Carroll on Jamal Adams’ injury recovery (H/T ESPN)
Carroll told reporters that the signing of Love doesn’t impact Adams’ spot in Seattle. The Seahawks made the move with a new defensive game plan in mind, one that will heavily rely upon using three safeties at once.
While Seattle will be deploying three safeties more, even in base defense sets, Adams will play more like a linebacker. Lined up closer to the line of scrimmage, the Seahawks will depend on the player who racked up 59 stops (PFF) from 2010-’21 to help improve their run defense.
- Jamal Adams contract: $18.11 million cap hit (2023), $23.61 million cap hit (’24)
It might not guarantee Adams a long-term future in Seattle. While it doesn’t make financial sense for the Seahawks to release him this year, the team would create $9.39 million in cap savings if Adams is a cap casualty in 2024.
Playing with something to prove next season, Adams should help provide further stability to Seattle’s defense. Poised to be used as a blitzer and run-stopper, a strong season could earn him Pro Bowl honors for the first time since 2020.