$70 Million Starter May Be Out Indefinitely

Seahawks safety Jamal Adams at Lumen Field on October 22, 2023.

This season has been an absolute rollercoaster for Seattle Seahawks star Jamal Adams, and not the fun kind. During Seattle’s 20-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Adams was noticeably absent.

Adams, who signed a four-year, $70.5 million contract with Seattle in 2021, is dealing with a lingering knee injury. The All-Pro safety was deemed “questionable” for the Week 15 matchup, but officially listed as inactive 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Questions arose when it became clear Adams wasn’t even at Lumen Field for the season-saving victory. “I think he was home,” Carroll said during a December 19 appearance on Seattle Sports radio.

“It was hard on him,” Carroll said of Adams not playing. “We talked about it, and how he was going to deal with it. And he didn’t need to be there. Carroll stressed that Adams has a “warrior mentality” and that Seattle will “need him” against the Tennessee Titans on Christmas Eve. “I think this is going to maximize his chance to finish the season.”

However, something must’ve changed over the past 24 hours. Carroll told reporters on Wednesday, December 20 that they might have to shut Adams down for the season.

“It’s something that we have acknowledged,” Carroll said, per The Athletic’s Mike Dugar. “So far, he’s wanted to keep going and driving and see what he can make of it… We’ll take it one shot at a time and we’ll figure it out together.”

Adams did not participate in practice on Wednesday. “I just talked to him a little bit ago and today is not the day to go,” Carroll said. “He’s not ready for this day. We’re just one day at a time.”

If the 28-year-old safety doesn’t return this season, the 12s won’t miss him too much. Between not sticking around to support his teammates during such a pivotal game, his struggling performance when he does play, and questionable off-the-field antics, fans’ patience with the star safety have worn thin.