As the Seattle Seahawks enter the post-Pete Carroll era, they’re making some major moves.
Ahead the start of the NFL’s new league year next week, the Seahawks released a group of players with the intention of clearing cap space. Among the players released by Seattle was safety Jamal Adams, who has been one of the faces of the Seahawks’ franchise since being acquired in a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2020 season.
Seattle’s decision to release Adams marks a major inflection point in the 28-year-old safety’s career.
Originally selected by the Jets with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the LSU product quickly established himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL. A second-team All-Pro selection in 2018 and a first-team selection in 2019, Adams appeared to be in line for a sizable extension entering his fourth season in the NFL. But after he requested a trade amid contract negotiations, the Jets obliged, sending him to the Seahawks in exchange for a package including first-round picks in the 2021 and 2022 NFL Drafts.
After Adams earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, Seattle signed him to a four-year, $72 million contract with $38 million guaranteed. His time with the Seahawks has sinc been marred by injuries, with the three-time Pro Bowl selection having appeared in a total of 10 regular-season games over the course of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
In addition to Adams, the Seahawks also released safety Quandre Diggs and tight end Will Dissly on Tuesday. The moves will help Seattle clear $25 million in sap space, with Adams’s release accounting for $16.5 million in savings.
Having been released, all three players are eligible to immediately sign with new teams.
[Seahawks]
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.