Jamal Adams Bio
Jamal Lee Adams is an American professional football linebacker and safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New York Jets sixth overall in the 2017 NFL draft. During his early career, he became one of the league’s most productive defensive backs, earning multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. Adams has also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Jamal Lee Adams was born on October 17, 1995, in Lewisville, Texas. He grew up in the Carrollton area and attended Hebron High School, where he developed into one of the most sought-after high school defensive prospects in the country. He is the son of George Adams and Michelle Adams. His father, George Adams, played in the NFL from 1985 to 1991 as a running back, giving his son a direct connection to the professional game.
During his final two seasons at Hebron High School, Adams recorded 138 tackles and seven interceptions on defense, while adding 20 touchdowns on offense. In his senior year, Hebron finished 8–4 and advanced to the UIL 5A Division II Area final at AT&T Stadium, where they lost 42–21 to Cedar Hill. Scout.com rated him as a five-star recruit and listed him among the top 10 players in his class. He committed to Louisiana State University to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Adams arrived at LSU as a true freshman in 2014 and appeared in all 13 games, making two starts at safety. He finished that season with 66 tackles and a sack, earning Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC honors. His early production signaled that he was on track to become one of the top defensive backs in college football.
As a sophomore in 2015, Adams earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition from both the Associated Press and the SEC coaches. He built on that success in his junior season of 2016, when he was named a first-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC selection. On January 6, 2017, Adams announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, where he was widely projected as a top overall safety prospect.
Jamal Adams Career
Early Career (2017)
Coming out of college, Adams was invited to the NFL Combine and performed all the available drills. On May 4, 2017, he attended LSU’s pro day and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, improving on his combine numbers. Multiple major outlets, including Sports Illustrated, DraftScout.com, Pro Football Focus, and ESPN, ranked Adams as the top safety in the 2017 draft class.
The New York Jets selected Adams in the first round with the sixth overall pick, making him the first safety taken in the 2017 NFL draft. On July 20, 2017, the Jets signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year, $22.25 million contract that included a $14.32 million signing bonus. Head coach Todd Bowles named him the starting strong safety for the season-opener. Adams finished his rookie year with 83 combined tackles, six pass deflections, and two sacks in 16 starts, and he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
New York Jets Era (2017–2019)
Adams quickly became a leader on the Jets defense and was named a team captain for the 2018 season. He recorded his first career interception off Matt Cassel in the season-opener against the Detroit Lions, a game the Jets won 48–17. That year, he finished with 115 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception while starting all 16 games, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-team AP All-Pro honors. He was also named the Curtis Martin Team MVP.
During the 2018 Pro Bowl, Adams was named Defensive MVP of the game, and he later became a popular story when he tackled the Patriots mascot at practice before allowing the mascot to tackle him back. In 2019, Adams produced one of the strongest seasons of his career, recording a 61-yard pick-six against the New England Patriots, a 25-yard fumble return touchdown against the New York Giants, and a career-high three sacks against the Washington Redskins. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Giants, finished the year with another Pro Bowl nod, and earned his first First-team AP All-Pro selection.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2020–2023)
On July 25, 2020, the Jets traded Adams, along with a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for safety Bradley McDougald, two draft picks in 2021, and a first-round selection in 2022 that was later used on Garrett Wilson. Adams made an immediate impact, leading the Seahawks with 12 tackles in his Seattle debut and sacking Matt Ryan in the Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded at least one sack in five of his first six games with the team.
In Week 14 of the 2020 season, Adams recorded his 8.5th sack against the New York Jets, breaking the NFL record for most sacks in a season by a defensive back. He finished that year with 9.5 sacks, earned a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection, and was part of the first safety tandem to make the Pro Bowl together since Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in 2015. On August 17, 2021, Adams signed a four-year extension valued at $72 million, including a $20 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid safety in the NFL at the time. A torn labrum in 2021 and a torn quad tendon in 2022 limited his availability, and in 2023 he played in nine games with 48 total tackles before being released on March 5, 2024.
Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions (2024)
On July 11, 2024, Adams signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. He missed the season opener with a hip injury and was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in October after appearing in only three games. On October 17, 2024, the Titans granted his request to be released. On December 1, 2024, the Detroit Lions signed him to their practice squad, and he went on to play in two games, recording three tackles before being released on January 1, 2025.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025–Present)
On July 22, 2025, Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll, who had coached him in Seattle. During training camp, Carroll announced that Adams would switch positions from safety to linebacker, opening a new chapter in his career. Adams played in all 17 games with four starts for the Raiders, recording 45 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Driving Style and Strengths
Adams has long been known for his aggressive, physical approach to the game, combining strong run support with a rare ability to rush the passer from the secondary. His 9.5-sack season in 2020 showcased his blitzing skills and helped redefine the role of a modern defensive back. He reads offenses quickly, delivers hard hits, and is a reliable tackler in open space, traits that have made him a versatile defender throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Adams’ career are his NFL-record 9.5 sacks by a defensive back in 2020, his Defensive MVP performance at the 2018 Pro Bowl, and his record-setting contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021. His leadership was also recognized when he was named Curtis Martin Team MVP in back-to-back seasons with the Jets.
Jamal Adams Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Jamal Lee Adams has earned three Pro Bowl selections, one First-team All-Pro nod, and two Second-team All-Pro honors, along with All-Rookie recognition in 2017. He has recorded 546 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 36 pass deflections, four interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns through the 2025 season.
New York Jets Highlights
With the Jets, Adams earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and 2019, a Second-team All-Pro nod in 2018, and a First-team All-Pro honor in 2019. He also took home the Curtis Martin Team MVP award in both 2018 and 2019 and made an immediate impact in his rookie year with 83 tackles and two sacks.
Other Wins and Performances
At LSU, Adams was a first-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC selection in 2016, a second-team All-SEC pick in 2015, and a Freshman All-American in 2014. He then became a key contributor for the Seattle Seahawks, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and a landmark contract extension in 2021.
Jamal Adams Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jamal Lee Adams was raised by his parents, George Adams and Michelle Adams, in the Carrollton area of Texas. His father, George Adams, played in the National Football League from 1985 to 1991 as a running back, giving the family a strong football pedigree.
Personal Life
Adams is a pescatarian, a dietary choice he has spoken about publicly. He is the son of George Adams and Michelle Adams and continues to pursue his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders after stints with the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions.
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, Jamal Lee Adams transitioned from safety to linebacker under head coach Pete Carroll, marking a significant change in his professional role. He appeared in all 17 games and made four starts, providing veteran leadership in the team’s defensive backfield and linebacker corps. He finished the year with 45 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble, showing he could still contribute as a tackler and pass rusher even in a new position.
The reunion with Pete Carroll, who coached Adams during his most productive years in Seattle, was a key storyline of his 2025 campaign. Adams’ experience and physical playing style helped stabilize a defense that was adjusting to several new pieces. His ability to play multiple roles, including safety and linebacker, gave the Raiders valuable flexibility on game days.
Looking ahead, Adams is expected to remain a key veteran presence in the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive scheme. His proven track record of Pro Bowl play, his record-setting 2020 sack season, and his leadership experience all suggest he will continue to contribute in 2026 and beyond.
