On the heels of last week's report that the Jets had not "expressed any official interest" in extending Jamal Adams this offseason (with Adams expected to skip the voluntary virtual offseason program), GM Joe Douglas was asked Monday in an exclusive interview with SNY's Jeane Coakley about the status of the team's relationship with its star safety.
Douglas explained that his thoughts about wanting Adams to be a "Jet for life" haven't wavered at all.
"Nothing's changed on my thoughts with Jamal," Douglas said. "This virtual offseason, it's a voluntary thing and again, I'll stress the word voluntary. Nothing's changed in my thoughts."
Douglas added that there isn't "a set timetable" on getting an extension done, but he also noted during his conference call with the media on Monday that he would't be ruling out trading the Pro-Bowler.
"And again, I've also made it known I have to do what's in the best interests of this team," he said on the call. "If other teams call to talk about players, I'll listen."
When it came to whether he thought Adams should be the highest-paid player on the Jets, Douglas did a little dance.
"I'm not going to touch that one," he said. "He's an outstanding player. We would like him to be here a long time."
SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported earlier this month that the most likely scenario was that the Jets wouldn't extend Adams this offseason, noting that the team had control over him through the 2023 season.
On April 2, Mike Fisher 105.3 FM in Dallas reported that if the Dallas Cowboys "sense" that the Jets and Adams are having trouble coming to terms on a long-term extension, they will "circle back with a high pick offer."
Now, with the NFL Draft three days away, it's fair to wonder if the Jets will start receiving calls on Adams.
Adams' future with Gang Green first came into question just before last season's trade deadline, when reports surfaced that the Jets and Cowboys had engaged in trade conversations -- with Adams saying at the time that he would welcome a trade to his hometown team.
According to Vacchiano, the Jets took calls from several teams on Adams in advance of the deadline and appeared to come "fairly close" to trading him to the Cowboys.
At the time, Douglas admitted he was willing to listen to offers on just about any player, including Adams and running back Le'Veon Bell, but he set the prices exorbitantly high and wasn't willing to budge. A source told SNY that for Adams he wanted a first-round pick and at least one more first-round pick or multiple second-round picks in return.
Things had calmed down since then, with Adams' relationship with head coach Adam Gase and Douglas seemingly mended. Now, things seem uncertain again.
"I feel good," Adams said on March 2 about Douglas' Jet for life comment. "It gives me confidence going into next season, but we'll see where everything (heads)."
When the initial trade rumors came to light last fall, Adams was both angry and hurt, saying the Jets shouldn't have even been taking calls on him (while comparing himself to then-untouchable players Tom Brady and Aaron Donald).
"For three years, I came here and I've done nothing but work my butt off, continue to improve, continue to be a great leader, continue to be a great teammate, and when you see something like that, you're in shock a little bit," Adams said. "At the end of the day it is a business. I understand it. But that's how I look at myself. I hold myself in a high regard. Obviously they don't feel that way."