New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams declined to comment on the details of Jamal Adams’ contractual dispute with the team, but gave his support for All-Pro security and sounded cautiously optimistic about his return.
“You never, ever mess with a guy’s contract, but I have my back to that kind of thing,” Williams told reporters Thursday. “He has to fix all of that, so now, boom! Get back into our environment and now we are ready to roll. He knows it.”
Adams, unhappy with his contract, formally requested an exchange last week, ESPN reported. Since then, he has expressed on social media that his days with the Jets are over. For now, the Jets have no intention of changing it, sources said.
Williams became the first team official to comment on the Adams situation.
“I think his world,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to train a lot of really good players, some who are already in the Hall of Fame, many others who are going to the Hall of Fame. You will have a legitimate chance, stay healthy, to be one of those types of we’re all talking about. “
Williams said he had a “sensible” response to the news of Adams’ trade request.
“I want him to feel good about everything that is going on,” he said. “He knows when he walks through the door and inside the white lines, there is an outstanding chemistry. I’ve been through this before with other players. You can’t get too emotional. I can’t. I have to stay calm and I know I don’t. I can wait to get a chance to train him again. “
Adams, 24, is signed during the 2021 season. After that, the Jets can use the franchise tag. Publicly, General Manager Joe Douglas has expressed a desire to make Adams “a plane for life,” but has not given a timeline for a possible extension. That has angered Adams, sources said.
“You have to manage your contract,” Williams said. “He’s going to do all those kinds of things. He’s doing those things. We always have to have the next man’s philosophy. I hope everything works out. I love training him and I support him.”
Coach Dennard Wilson, who has coached Adams since joining the league as a first-round pick in 2017, said he won’t be concerned about Adams’ mindset if he plays for the Jets.
“He won’t flinch,” said Wilson. “I don’t care if she comes back and has distractions.”
Williams enthusiastically praised Adams’ versatility and described how a game can impact from various positions: safety, linebacker and blitzer. He also noted his competitiveness, citing a play from last season’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Adams ran 70 yards to chase Leonard Fournette, avoiding a touchdown.
“One of the best plays I’ve ever seen,” Williams said. “He will stay with me the rest of my life.”
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