Jamal Adams

Jamal Adams's Biography

Jamal Lee Adams, born on October 17, 1995, is a highly esteemed American professional football safety. Today, he plays under the banner of the National Football League’s (NFL) Tennessee Titans. With a swift style of gameplay and strategic prowess, Adams has significantly carved his name into the annals of American football.

His journey began at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, where he made a name for himself playing high school football. His career there was marked by an impressive record of 138 tackles, seven interceptions on defense, and 20 touchdowns on offense in his final two years. While at Hebron, he also led his school to the UIL 5A Division II Area final at AT&T Stadium, where they put up a valiant fight but ultimately lost 42–21 to Cedar Hill.

Such a promising high school career earned him a five-star recruit rating and a place among the top 10 recruits in his class by Scout.com. He then committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) and made his presence felt on the college football scene.

At LSU, Adams played all 13 games with two starts as a true freshman. He continued to build a respectable reputation, contributing substantially to the team’s success with his sterling gameplay. He was eventually named to the AP All-SEC first-team during his junior year.

In 2017, Adams decided to take a huge leap and forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft—a move that would change the course of his career. He was projected to pick in the first round by several analysts, scouts, and platforms like Sports Illustrated, DraftScout.com, Pro Football Focus, and ESPN.

Adams caught the attention of the New York Jets and was selected sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft, becoming the first defensive back selected that year. His initial contract was promising, comprised of a guaranteed four-year term valued at $22.25 million, inclusive of a $14.32 million signing bonus.

Adams quickly proved to be a worthwhile investment for the Jets. He became an impactful starter, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his first year. By his second season, he snagged his career’s first interception and successfully recorded impactful stats—115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles with one recovered fumble, and one interception.

His fierce rivalry with the Patriots made him famous when he tackled the Patriots’ mascot at a 2019 Pro Bowl practice. By the end of 2019, he had accumulated enough accolades to be ranked 37th among his peers on the NFL Top 100 2019 list.

Adams continued to make waves in 2020, leading to the Jets picking up the fifth-year option on his contract. Despite their attempt to buttress their ties, Adams requested a trade from the Jets in June.

The Seattle Seahawks saw an opportunity. They traded for Adams and a 2022 NFL draft’s fourth-round pick in exchange for their safety Bradley McDougald, 2021 NFL draft’s first and third-round picks, and first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

In his first season with the Seahawks, Adams brought his record-breaking gameplay. He marked the NFL history books by recording the most sacks in a season by a defensive back—an unprecedented 9.5 sacks. His exceptional performance followed him into 2021 when he signed a four-year, $72 million extension with the Seahawks, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at that time.

Yet, fate had other plans. The 2022 season was cut short for Adams due to a torn quad tendon that occurred during a victory over the Denver Broncos. Later, in 2024, the Seahawks decided to release Adams, marking the end of his tenure with the Seattle team.

He continued his professional journey by signing a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans in mid-July 2024, where he continues to dominate the field and compose his professional legacy.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jamal Adams is widely known as the son of George Adams, a former NFL running back who played from 1985 to 1991. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that football runs in Adams’s blood, solidifying his commitment to the sport that he loves dearly. A notable personal fact about Adams is that he upholds a pescatarian diet. His successful career is marked not only by his on-field performance but also by his commitment to maintaining peak physical form.