17 Comments

I mentioned earlier this year in a post that Adams has this year to make it or brake it, and due to cap concerns Seattle can't make a move until 2024. In 2024 they could find some cap relief but still eat some 14M in dead money saving 9.3M (OTC). Ken you are spot on with the Jamal Adams "Situation". He's is most definitely not a trade option. Unfortunately this is probably going to be another blockbuster bust. Chase Young is definitely off the table. Seattle seems to be taking more of a youth draft route and adding up and coming players in FA. Jones, Love, Reed, and Blount. I expect Seattle to use some higher draft capital at Safety next year and make some big moves for a younger secondary which is in full swing the last two drafts. I think the same could be said on DL which started in earnest this year with the draft and FA. Great article Ken as usual.

Expand full comment

The prospect of having Adams back down the stretch as a blitz-or-bail threat on passing downs and run-stopping nickel in the redzone is incredibly tantalising

Expand full comment

We're now at a stage with Jamal where Cutting him is financially benefical over Trading him. And if you are trying to make moves around Jamal for the financial gains, then a restructure is the obvious way to go.

Certainly I cannot see a team offering up a Trade deal that makes the cap hits worth it for us. The list of teams who could afford him is small. Of those that have draft capital or players we want, smaller again. Bears sit atop that list. Lions possibly if they feel they are there to contend in the NFC. Who really would even come in to trade for Jamal, let alone would we want to offload him?

We're commited. Not even sure we should be looking to restructure his deal. Hope he comes back and can play ~10 games this year well enough to make an impact, see if we can spark a desparation trade next off-season, and if not cut him and eat the hit.

Expand full comment

There's one thing that could be said about the Adams trade: the 'Hawks balanced it out with the Russell Wilson trade, with the small exception of Adams cap hit. Neither the 'Hawks or the Broncos will be able to trade those contracts and both will have to eat their respective salaries. Lesson learned.

As for trading for Chase Young, and beyond the money he would cost (as Seaside Joe so expertly details), what message would it send to rookies Cameron Young and Mike Morris? "Sorry, guys. Yeah, we drafted you but we don't think you're going to be good enough so we're bringing in a ringer, I mean, a question mark. I mean, umm..." With leadership from Jones and Reed and Wagner and Diggs, etc, the rookies will do just fine.

Even though the ride hasn't started, the old saying applies:

Sit down, shut up, strap in, and hold on.

Expand full comment

My biggest disappointment in 2022 was losing Adams for the year. We never got to see the scheme that the defensive coaches had in mind.

Expand full comment

I believe we should approach the Cards about a swap for Budda. Skill set similar enough to make it work. If they truly are tanking, they can release him any time. Probably too much of a pipe dream to have it happen, although one can speculate…lol

Expand full comment

Pete/Hurtt have clearly hedged their bets on Adams though--if he doesn't come back immediately or isn't 100% or comes back and is reinjured it isn't going to throw their whole scheme into a tailspin.

Best case: Adams comes back, plays well, and the surrounding talent elevates the D into a top 10 unit in 2023. The Seahawks have a piece to move in a trade (either Adams or someone else) for draft capital.

Worst case: Adams can't make it back to form and can't crack the lineup as a starter, and gets cut after the season.

Expand full comment

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Expand full comment
founding

I’m one of those people who are blindly, passionately hoping against hope that Adams heals and plays his best football yet. I’ve got months to dream.

Expand full comment

Boy , it didn't take long for the Chase Young bubble to burst or is it the team and the scheme?

Expand full comment