Adam Gase praises Jamal Adams but won't speculate on his future with Jets
Jamal Adams of the Jets looks on after a game against the Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 22. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Adam Gase wouldn’t say whether he views Jamal Adams as a cornerstone player, directing all personnel-related questions to general manager Joe Douglas.
But Gase sounds as if he wants Adams to remain a Jet.
“You guys know where I stand with Jamal,” he said. “He has been one of the best players I’ve ever seen play in person. He’s done nothing but work extremely hard, fight through injury, be there for his teammates, make plays when we need him to. He’s been the heart and soul of our defense.
Douglas admitted listening to offers for Adams before the trade deadline, and he could receive calls again this offseason. But the Jets also could sign Adams to a long-term extension.
Gase wouldn’t address Adams’ future.
“That’ll be a great question for Joe,” he said.
Douglas will hold his end-of-season news conference on Tuesday.
No surgery for Sam
Sam Darnold said he still has to undergo some tests on his left thumb, which bothered him the last several weeks of the season, but doesn’t believe he needs surgery.
Griffin has surgery
Tight end Ryan Griffin, who caught a career-high five touchdown passes, had ankle surgery about a week ago. He said the rehab is roughly six months. He could miss most if not all of OTAs.
Quiet corner
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson wished reporters happy holidays and Happy New Year but declined to take questions. He hasn’t spoken to the media since going on injured reserve in November.
Johnson hasn’t lived up to the five-year, $72.5 million deal the Jets gave him in 2018 and is expected to be cut. The Jets would save $3 million by waiving him before March 20.
Two-minute drill
Gase said he’s not considering any changes to his coaching staff “at this moment.” . . . He also said he and Douglas have begun “taking deeper dives” into why the Jets suffered so many injuries. Twenty players were placed on injured reserve. Gase said they’re looking at everything from the practice schedule to training camp to other routines and added, “We’re combing through everything because we can’t have this happen again.” It’s “highly unlikely” the Jets will make changes on the training staff, according to Gase.
