Jamal Adams will probably be remembered as one of the worst trades the Seattle Seahawks pulled off. The former safety cost Seattle two first-round picks, a third-round choice, and veteran Bradley McDougald. Adams had a good first year with Seattle in 2020, but the injuries had already started to affect his availability.
He was awful in coverage, elite at pressuring quarterbacks, an inconsistent tackler, but mostly just someone the team couldn't count on to suit up in most games. After four seasons (and some would argue two too many), Seattle released Adams.
Some might have thought he would never find a new place to play because, while he was only in his late 20s, his body seemed to be 70. And yet, he has not only played for three other teams since 2023, but he has now just found another. Adams is reportedly signing with the Minnesota Vikings.
Former Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams signs with the Minnesota Vikings
The question many 12s are asking is "why?" Moreover, the Vikings could be an improved team, as they should get better quarterback play in 2026 from Kyler Murray and could be a playoff opponent for the Seahawks this season. Signing Adams implies they have a roster hole somewhere, so maybe Minnesota isn't going to be as good as some think.
While Minnesota probably has an idea where Adams will play, that answer might be a mystery to football fans. He is clearly a weakness at safety, as his various injuries have robbed him of the speed he needs to do well in coverage. He has also never had the gift of anticipation in being able to read the passing attack of the team he is playing against.
In 2025, Jamal Adams played with former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and his new team, the Las Vegas Raiders, but the player did so as an inside linebacker. That he was willing to make a position move probably earned him some praise in NFL circles, as Adams understands that if he wants to keep playing, he can't be a safety.
With the Raiders, he appeared in all 17 games, the first time since 2018 that he came close to playing a full season. Adams had four starts and was involved in 45 tackles. He whiffed on 15.1 percent of his tackle attempts, though, which is an awful number for a linebacker.
The Vikings do have an excellent defensive coordinator in Brian Flores, and if someone can get good sustained play out of Adams, it is Flores. Adams is still good when blitzing, and Flores likes to do that. Maybe that is where Adams fits in Minnesota. The problem is if the Vikings ask Adams to literally do anything else well.
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