Jamal Adams, New York Jets. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
If Jamal Adams was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, how would that work?
What if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t done winning the 2020 NFL offseason?
This is the same NFC South franchise that signed quarterback Tom Brady in free agency, traded for his former New England Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski and then went out and crushed the 2020 NFL Draft. Could they have room for one more massive move before the start of training camp? Of course, we’re talking about trading for New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams.
Adams has been with the Jets for the last three seasons. Despite being a two-time Pro Bowler and a 2019 First-Team All-Pro, Adams voiced his frustrations on Thursday and has now requested a trade. While he initially laid out seven teams he’d want to be traded to, ESPN’s Ryan Clark and Field Yates confirms the Buccaneers are team No. 8.
With the Buccaneers now part of the Adams sweepstakes, the fit here is pretty remarkable really. Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator is Adams’ former Jets head coach Todd Bowles. The Buccaneers play in the opposite conference of the Jets. They also have plenty of assets to pull of another blockbuster trade. And we thought getting Gronkowski out of retirement was impressive.
Here is what trading Jamal Adams to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks like.
If the Buccaneers feel they need to give up a first-round pick or two, they can afford to do that. This is a team that is in win-now mode, as Brady, Gronkowski and head coach Bruce Arians aren’t getting any younger. Tampa Bay hasn’t made the NFC playoffs since 2007, so no one would blame them for jeopardizing a decent future for an incredible present. The Bucs can win the Super Bowl.
If Gang Green wants a player in return, Tampa Bay has plenty of options for the Jets to choose from. Not to say the Buccaneers would be the least bit cool with it, but they could give up either standout wide receiver in Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. Surely, that would tickle Jets general manager Joe Douglas’ fancy. However, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht would hate it.
Tampa Bay is overstocked at the tight end position. With Gronkowski now on the team, that makes Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard incredibly expendable. Though neither is the same caliber player of Gronkowski, or Adams for that matter, attach a first-round pick or so to their name and maybe we’ve got a deal here?
Lastly, the Buccaneers could part ways with one of their two star linebackers in the proven veteran Lavonte David or the young up-and-comer in Devin White. Parting ways with David means they’d be trading one defensive leader for the other. If White goes Gang Green’s way, that means the Jets are keen on his upside and believe he can be what Adams was for them previously.
So how likely are the Buccaneers to win the Adams sweepstakes? Probably more likely than winning the Brady free-agency sweepstakes or getting Gronkowski to come out of retirement or landing offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs in the middle of the first round. All three of those things happened for the Bucs this spring. Adams could definitely rock the creamsicle and pewter.
If Adams is traded by the Jets, the Buccaneers have to be one of the likeliest landing spots for him.