Seahawks 90-Man Countdown: S Jamal Adams - Return to All-Pro Status?

Looking to prove he remains one of the best safeties in football after missing 16 games in 2022, the Seattle Seahawks will be keeping fingers crossed Jamal Adams rebounds from a severe injury to round back into form as a game-changing disruptive force for their defense.

Author:
Corbin K. Smith
Publish date:
Jul 20, 2023 6:46 PM EDT

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Seattle Seahawks

With the calendar flipping to July and offseason activities in the rearview mirror, the Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC later this month, officially ushering in the 2023 season.

To celebrate the new incoming season, we'll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, exploring best and worst case scenarios and what to expect from each player entering the 2023 campaign.

Jamal Adams, Strong Safety

Height/Weight: 6-1, 213 pounds

2022 Stats: Three tackles, one pressure

An instant star upon arrival as a top-10 pick for the Jets, Adams garnered All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in two of his first three seasons with the Jets, earning a reputation as one of the league's most unique defensive playmakers due to his rare pass rushing ability and stout run defense. Upset by his contract situation for a floundering team, the Seahawks dealt a pair of first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Jets to acquire his services before the 2020 season and he immediately made an impact, breaking the NFL record for defensive backs with 9.5 sacks while receiving Second-Team All-Pro distinction.

Unfortunately, injuries have prevented Adams from coming close to meeting expectations since a strong first season in Seattle. After undergoing two surgeries to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and another operation to fuse injured fingers together that led to five missed games in 2021, he suffered a torn quad tendon in the first half of the season opener last September, landing him on injured reserve once again after registering just three tackles. Nearly a year removed from surgery to repair the injury, the team hopes to have the disruptive defender back on the field at some point in training camp next month.

Best-Case Scenario: Showing no ill effects from his latest injury, Adams doesn't open camp on the PUP list and rounds back into form to start Seattle's season opener, allowing defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt to unleash the defensive weapon to a tune of 78 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three interceptions, earning him his fourth All-Pro selection as a catalyst for one of the NFL's most improve defenses.

Worst-Case Scenario: Reporting to camp still in the midst of his rehab, Adams opens the season on the PUP list and misses Seattle's first five games before finally being activated and struggles to find his groove upon his return to the lineup, leading to diminished snaps in favor of Julian Love and creating serious questions about his future with the franchise.

What to Expect in 2023: Heading into a new season with lofty expectations after a surprise playoff berth a year ago, Adams' health status stands out as one of the biggest questions for the Seahawks on either side of the ball. When he's been available, though the coaching staff has not always done the best job maximizing his skill set and strengths schematically, he has been a key contributor with 173 tackles, two interceptions, and 9.5 sacks in 25 games.

But coming off yet another severe injury, nobody truly knows what to expect from Adams and Seattle will be incredibly cautious to ensure he isn't brought back too soon. Adding Love, who enjoyed a breakout year for the Giants last season and can play either safety position at a high level, will allow them to bring him back when he is 100 percent healthy and not have to rush him back into action. Regardless of when No. 33 returns, the team will be counting on him to bounce back beautifully and rediscover his game wrecking ways, which would be a major boost for a unit that struggled without him last season. If he struggles to round back into form, however, a difficult decision likely awaits the front office next spring regarding his future.

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