A noteworthy addition could be made by the Kansas City Chiefs after June 1 as they continue to hone their roster in preparation for training camp.
According to ESPN insider Barnwell, Kansas City will sign former safety Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks. Adams, who committed to a $70.5 million deal with the Seahawks in 2021, was released by Seattle prior to his free agency.
Barnwell encouraged the Chiefs to intervene and re-sign Adams, despite rumors that the Seahawks might do so in order to use him as a linebacker.
Adams should currently be seen in a situational position as a strong safety and possibly even as a linebacker on passing downs, according to Barnwell. “I have to think the upside is worth the risk that Adams, 28, isn’t the player he was earlier in his career at the right price.”
Adams missed 34 of the 68 regular-season games that could have been played during his four years in Seattle because of various injuries. In his rookie season (2020), he racked up 9.5 sacks; in the previous three years, he had none. Due to his poor on-field performance and his off-field antics, Adams gained controversy in Seattle.
Barnwell, though, thinks Kansas City can train Adams to be more disciplined. “Get him to Chiefs coordinator Steve Spagnuolo; a player with Adams’ skill and blitzer ability can undoubtedly find a spot in the lineup.” Although it selected safety Jaden Hicks with a fourth-round pick, Kansas City lost Mike Edwards and Willie Gay this offseason. However, Adams may be able to push for a spot as a linebacker and situational safety.
Barnwell says he would love to see the former first-round pick at Kansas City’s camp “if he will take a deal built around per-game roster bonuses,” even if he may not make the squad.
Talks of Adam’s return to Seattle were deemed “legitimate” by Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times on April 29. “The San Francisco 49ers are one of the few teams that have reportedly stayed in contact with Adams,” Condotta said, “so the Seahawks could have some competition.”
Brady Henderson of ESPN, however, described the likelihood of Adams making a comeback as “slight” in light of Seattle’s selection of Tyrice Knight in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Henderson wrote on May 11 that Knight would be joining an inside linebacker corps that would be very different from what it was the previous season, but the Seahawks have left the door open for a reunion with Jamal Adams with the understanding that he would play that position rather than safety.
“Seahawks sources have stressed that if Adams returns, it will only be as a part-time weakside linebacker. Considering their precarious financial status (they have about $1.5 million in cap space according to OverTheCap.com), It would probably be for around the minimum amount required by the league.
Although it’s not thought likely, the Seahawks had discussed internally the potential of a reunion following the draft. Knight, though, is the most recent addition to that fresh ensemble for the time being. Tyrel Dodson is expected to start as middle linebacker under head coach Mike Macdonald, with Jerome Baker on the weak side.
In terms of money, Adams’ comeback would be unexpected. Seattle’s early release cost them $20.83 million in dead money, even though they saved $6.1 million against the 2024 ceiling.
The Chiefs’ linebackers’ room is still strong despite not selecting a linebacker in the 2024 NFL draft. Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones, and Cole Christiansen are Kansas City’s anticipated reserves, along with Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill.
“Chenal had one of the most underrated performances in Super Bowl LVIII—six tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hit,” said Nate Taylor of The Athletic. Christiansen, Jones, and Cochrane can all play well on special teams.
Bryan Cook and Justin Reid’s effort will begin at safety. The Chiefs have Tyree Gillespie, Trey Dean, Deon Bush, Chamarri Conner, and Hicks as backups. In general, it doesn’t appear like Kansas City will challenge Seattle or the 49ers for Adams’ services.
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