The Las Vegas Raiders made a notable move on Tuesday by signing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams. The 29-year-old veteran now reunites with Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, under whom he played for four seasons while with the Seattle Seahawks.
The addition of Adams strengthens a revamped Raiders secondary heading into the 2025 NFL season. Alongside Adams, the team also added cornerback JT Woods, who previously played for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Adams NFL Journey Filled With Early Success, Followed By Injury Setbacks And Challenges
Jamal Adams entered the league in 2017 as the sixth overall pick by the New York Jets. In his three seasons with the Jets, he played 46 games and earned two Pro Bowl selections along with a first-team All-Pro nod in 2019. Adams quickly became known for his physicality, coverage skills, and versatility on the field. His early career established him as one of the premier safeties in the NFL.
Jamal Adams (NFL)Adams was traded to the Seahawks in 2020 and made an immediate impact, earning another Pro Bowl selection that same year. However, his time in Seattle was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 34 games across multiple seasons. A major setback occurred in 2022 when he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon. In 2023, Adams had brief stints with both the Tennessee Titans and the Detroit Lions, appearing in only five games before being released.
Jamal Adams Joins Revamped Raiders Secondary Aiming for Defensive Breakthrough in 2025
With 85 career games under his belt, Adams brings a wealth of experience, having recorded 501 tackles, 21.5 sacks, and four interceptions. The Raiders’ secondary has undergone a transformation this offseason with the departures of safeties Marcus Epps and Tre’von Moehrig. In response, Las Vegas added versatile defenders like Jeremy Chinn and Lonnie Johnson Jr., while retaining Isaiah Pola-Mao, who started 14 games in 2024.
During OTAs and minicamp, Chinn and Pola-Mao were consistently featured as the starting safeties, with Adams expected to contribute significantly upon his arrival. The coaching staff has also experimented with three-safety looks, utilizing Chinn closer to the line of scrimmage.
Coach Pete Carroll expressed enthusiasm about the team’s defensive backfield, calling the group “athletic, fast, and big.” With training camp underway, the Raiders look to leverage their upgraded secondary for a strong 2025 campaign.
