It may be a new-look Jets team this season, but Jamal Adams promises it has the same goal as always.
Winning.
"Obviously we're in New York," Adams told newyorkjets.com during one of the team's voluntary offseason workouts. "This is a win-now type of mentality and that's how we're taking it. We have to keep stacking the days and keep working out and I think we'll be fine."
In just two seasons, Adams has solidified himself not only as one of the Jets' best defensive playmakers, but also a leader in the locker room. He'll be look at by new head coach Adam Gase to set the tone on and off the field, and Adams is currently working on making himself even better than he has been these past two years to live up to that goal.
"Just getting better at everything," Adams, who totaled 112 tackles last season, said. "That's how I look at it. I don't put a limit on myself. Obviously I want to become a better teammate, a better person off the field and even on as far as communicating and reading. And as far as my eyes, having a step before the snap. Just getting better at everything -- that's what I think I'm focused on."
While Adams works to get better, the Jets already have on paper. Not only have they signed versatile RB Le'Veon Bell help Sam Darnold and the offense, but more defensive playmakers will be by his side on gameday. Linebacker C.J. Mosley is a huge pickup next to Avery Williamson in the second tier, and first-rounder Quinnen Williams will be in the trenches hopefully wreaking havoc the way the Jets envision.
While Adams was a big fan of GM Mike Maccagnan choosing to stick with the No. 3 overall pick and take Williams, he is also very excited about playing alongside Mosley.
"It's just crazy because at the Pro Bowl obviously I played with him on my side," Adams said about Mosley. "I looked at him and was like, 'Man, if I played next to you, wow. It would be something special.' So here it is and we're excited for the journey."
It will be a long and tough journey for the Jets to turn to a playoff contender after three straight losing seasons, but that has been Adams' goal since he was drafted sixth overall in 2017. All the new faces and schemes will take some time to get down pat, especially new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' system that will be a hybrid of a 3-4 and 4-3 base.
But that is what the OTAs and training camp is for. As long as the Jets learn the schemes and communicate, the sky is the limit in Adams' eyes.
"It's a new scheme and new terminology, so obviously we have to pick up on a couple of new things, new little wrinkles," Adams said. "But at the same time, we're just going out there and stacking the days. We'll be fine as long as we communicate."