The New York Jets need to hurry up and give Jamal Adams a new deal

The New York Jets are making a bad decision by not extending Jamal Adams.

The New York Jets are at a crossroads with former LSU football star Jamal Adams.

New York either has to trade Adams or extend him. There’s really no other option.

Adams, the No. 6 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, has made it clear that he wants a new deal before the start of the 2020 season.

The Texas native has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

Jets head coach Adam Gase made it clear this week that he wants Adams on the team.

If that’s the case, then this seems simple — the Jets need to give Adams a new deal.

Now, I know there are folks out there screaming “play out your contract”. And I understand that sentiment. But Adams has the right to use his leverage to get a new deal. It’s just business

NFL insider Jeff Darlington provided some context this week as to why Adams is so adamant about getting a new deal before the season.

Via 247Sports:

"“His father, George Adams, who he is very close to was drafted by the New York Giants in 1985 as a first-round pick,” Darlington said. “The next year in training camp, after having a pretty solid rookie season, he suffered a severe hip injury that ultimately ended his career. George Adams has since had two hip replacement surgeries. He never got paid, essentially, the big dollars for his NFL career. Jamal Adams looks at that situation and says ‘I need to get paid as soon as I can because you never know when this game is taken away from you.’"

The lifespan of an NFL player isn’t long. Even stars like Adams only get two opportunities, at the most, to maximize their earnings.

Adams is simply trying to make the most of his opportunity. He’s spent his entire life dedicated to football and this his chance to capitalize on his elite abilities. Adams can make sure his family is taken care of for years to come by landing a new deal with the Jets.

Jamal Adams has earned a new deal

This might be a different conversation if Adams wasn’t an elite player.

But Adams has more than earned a new deal.

The former LSU standout has reached two Pro-Bowls, been named a first team All-Pro and has been named the Jets’ Curtis Martin team MVP twice.

Adams is the type of player teams hope to land in free agency. The Jets would be foolish to let this relationship sour.

It might not be ideal to pay Adams now, but it’s the smart thing to do if the Jets hope to see the star safety wearing green for years to come.