Jamal Adams & The Bucs
February 2nd, 2026
So Joe had a 1-on-1 chat with versatile defensive back Jamal Adams at the Pro Bowl seven years ago.
Intense dude.
Todd Bowles had just been fired as New York Jets head coach and hired by Bucco Bruce Arians to be Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator. Adams was a first-round draft pick of Bowles and the Jets in 2017, No. 6 overall. Joe wanted to get a sense of Bowles and it turned out Adams had deep affection for his old boss. And, per reports out of New York, Bowles was just as in love with Adams.
Adams’ impressive career was derailed in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by multiple injures (hip, quad, kneecap, shoulder labrum). He became an afterthought in league circles but landed with the Raiders this season.
His old ball coach, Pete Carroll, decided to move him to weakside linebacker and a strange thing happened: Adams played all 17 games and was fine in a new position. He wasn’t great, but he certainly flashed in a part-time role.
What Joe likes about 30-year-old Adams is his aggression. Soft is not in his nature. The Bucs could use some of that.
Joe is wondering today if Bowles would love to bring in a familiar chess piece like Adams, a pending free agent that could bring veteran juice if Lavonte David waves goodbye. Adams is no savior, but he could be an inexpensive fit for a head coach that needs a fast start to the 2026 season.
Jamal Adams was the highest graded defender for the Raiders according to PFF.
Had 3 pressures blitzing and looked good against the run. Made the most of his 25 snaps.
3 of his best plays below. pic.twitter.com/lzy9EOvka7
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) September 10, 2025
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:12 am
25 snaps?
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:17 am
Bowles stinks at chess.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:18 am
Yes please. Let’s regress to the Glory days of Bowles in NY.
Just ask the fans up north and they will tell you how much they miss him.
How would this guy help the defense in any meaningful way?
If you say we need Dawgs, then go get Dawgs! Not retreads.
But he would be super cheap. More money far the European Soccer Team!
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:25 am
Yup keep getting older and slower that’s the ticket to success.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:41 am
In actuality this is an interesting idea. Depth piece, and maybe more if he’s healthy and playing well. Obviously low cost. And obviously not the centerpiece of our free agent signings, but could work in the right situation. And this might be that situation.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:50 am
I’ve always rooted for the kid. Ever since he was in HS and while at LSU. Though, I was really hoping for him to become a Legacy Recruit at UK. Can’t blame him. Kentucky was a total DISASTER. They were just leaving the Joker Phillips Era, and beginning the Coach STOOPID years! Hmmm… Actually, his Dad played with Old Joker! Another reason for why we were even in the running. His Dad was a TOUGH, TOUGH Running Back. Was my very first ‘favorite player’ when I was a little kid! He was a HELLUVA Running Back. Old #33 and The “Power K.” Boy, does that bring back some wonderful ‘memories’ of listening to Leonard’s Losers on Fall Saturday’s, during our hour+ drive north to Commonwealth Stadium in LEX.
He was drafted by the Giants, and was a ‘rookie’ I believe on their first Super Bowl under Phil Simms (also born in KY and played QB at Morehead State). He unfortunately was injured, and that (‘injuries’) was what eventually led to a ‘shortened’ career. That was actually the very first NFL Draft I ever paid close attention to, because of George Adams going in the 1st-Round. I was 8. Wonder how many NFL “Fathers & Sons” have both been 1st-Round Picks!? That’s a GrrrrREAT Sports History Question right there!!!! Later on that summer of ‘85, was also the ‘first’ NBA Draft I remember closely following! Now, that was a pretty big-one. I would call-it just “ok” – “meh” LoL.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:50 am
From the same page as bringing back a washed JPP…what could go wrong?!
Desperation is a stinky cologne…and is no doubt spraying from the misters at OBP.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:54 am
Nope.
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:57 am
Hmm. 30 years old, apparently missed three seasons, was a part-timer last season and is on the unemployed list? What’s not to love about this idea!
Let’s get 53 of these guys and we can be drafting the number one pick for years!
February 2nd, 2026 at 11:59 am
um, no thanks….25 snaps? multiple years injury history?
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:13 pm
He’s bad enough in coverage nowadays to be a perfect fit in Bowles “Bend AND Break” lousy defense.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Bowles is playing checkers instead! Hahahah
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Please!!!!!
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Bowles is more of a checkers player.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Something is wrong. To me this does not seem like Football anymore. More like TV Soap Opera Star Players stuff. Social engineering. Social Distortion. Hard Bargain to be a ‘fan’. What is a fan at this point? Dunno. Might be time to move on down the line. Too hard and expensive to watch. They may go the way of Jai Alai. Oh well.
February 2nd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
NFL wokeness laying low for now. Hiding it. Disguising it. It is still there though. It will be baaaaack.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:27 pm
@HC Grover
The NFL has become the WWE. It’s still entertaining but scripted for the best possible financial result.
College football is vastly superior as winning is still the main concern.
Once they get to the show it’s all about getting the rubes to pay attention.
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
draft & develop
GO BUCS!!!!
February 2nd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Did anybody watch the Raiders defense last year?
Adams is cool, but nah