By: CJ Lester
SteelerNation.com
It’s no secret that New York Jets SS Jamal Adams is a top defensive talent in the NFL. In recent reports from several trusted reporters, the safety has requested a trade from the Jets. In fact, there are several posts on social media from Adams himself that indicate the safety wants out of the Jets organization. The safety also has a list of teams that he would welcome a trade to. Notice, the Pittsburgh Steelers are NOT on the list of reported teams.
Here are the seven teams to which Jets’ Pro-Bowl safety Jamal Adams would welcome a trade, per source:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 18, 2020
🏈Ravens
🏈Cowboys
🏈Texans
🏈Chiefs
🏈Eagles
🏈49ers
🏈Seahawks
Of course, when a top defender is available in the league, a certain amount of Steeler fans beg and plead for the team to make a blockbuster trade to have that player on the team. Well, we have to think logically as fans as well.
There is one reason that the Steelers will NOT trade for Adams. That reason is the salary cap. The team doesn't have a lot of cap space to work with and there are already a number of Steelers' defenders that are deserving of a contract extension and those needed extensions are likely going to put the team tight against the cap for years to come. I know I am in agreement with a lot of you that Cam Heyward and Mike Hilton are in need of a contract extension ASAP. In my eyes, Bud Dupree is deserving of one as well. Then, in another year, the team will have to figure out a way to lock up star outside linebacker TJ Watt as well. Watt is going to command a lot of money per year and deservingly so. A year after that, the team will have to lock up star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick long term and he'll command a lot of annual money as well. Another star safety is just out of the question for the Steelers financially. Especially Adams, who has reportedly made it known that he eventually wants more than $20 million per year when he is extended and reports indicate that he wants an extension as soon as possible. Even if Adams doesn't want an immediate contract extension, his 5th year option would cost $9.86 million. The numbers just wouldn't work for the Steelers financially.
Jamal Adams’ future contract demands loom large in trade talks. If he wants pay among top defensive players - which one source whose team has looked into Adams believes - that’s well above $20M per year, while safety market is below $15M. Tough for a SS, no matter how good.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 19, 2020
So, yinzers don't get your hopes up. I can agree that Adams would continue to play at a Pro Bowl level with the Steelers and be an immediate upgrade at the strong safety position, but to believe that the Steelers would even remotely consider bringing in Adams is asinine. The Steelers always like to reward their own players before they look at players from other organizations. Your response to that is probably somewhere along the lines of, "We did it last year for Fitzpatrick, why couldn't we do it again for Adams?" Sending away a first round pick for a player isn't something the Steelers do every year. This past draft marked the first draft in 53 years that the Steelers did not have a first round pick. Let's face it, the Jets aren't going to accept a trade for Adams that doesn't involve a first round pick and then some. Trading for Jamal Adams just isn't in the cards for the Steelers.
What other team do you believe makes a move for Adams? Sound off in the comments section below, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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