Vikings sign Jamal Adams and a pre-camp 53
By Matthew Coller
As the Minnesota Vikings arrive in Eagan, new general manager Nolan Teasley made a notable addition to the squad: S/LB Jamal Adams, who spent 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
File the Adams signing under the “intriguing” category. He was once a rising superstar with the New York Jets and then the Seattle Seahawks acquired him in a trade and turned him into a prolific pass rusher for one season. In 2020, he racked up 9.5 sacks and 34 QB pressures on just 104 pass rush snaps but then in 2021 Adams’ pass rush snaps were cut in half and his production dipped.
An injury set him back and he spent 2024 with Tennessee and Detroit, only seeing 40 total snaps between the two teams.
The Raiders reinvigorated his career as more of a linebacker. He took all of two snaps as a deep safety and played 254 in the box and 124 plays in the slot.
His performance was solid. Adams had seven QB pressures on 35 rushes and allowed just 5.9 yards per reception into his coverage. Per PFF, he created 23 negative plays (STOPS) on 45 tackles.
A few thoughts on the signing:
— Adams would seem to be a fit with Brian Flores. Last year Flores used Eric Wilson in a blitzing role as an undersized linebacker and had wild success with it in the second half of the season. Adams’ speed might not be exactly what it was seven years ago but he has great instincts for getting after the passer and he’s experienced. He fits the mold of an undersized LB/S hybrid that has worked for Flores in the recent past with Josh Metellus.
— If Adams makes the team, he could be a Metellus replacement while Metellus moves back into a more traditional safety role (not that there’s anything particularly traditional about Flores’ defense).
— The brakes do need to be pumped on expectations. While this is the first Nolan Teasley signing of some significance, Adams is going to be 31 years old this season and only had six games in 2025 where he played more than 30 snaps.
— This move is likely of no consequence to Harrison Smith’s future and it probably doesn’t impact the safety room either. It may simply be depth behind Wilson and Blake Cashman. The only players behind them at LB are Ivan Pace Jr., who has seemingly fallen out of favor with Flores and rookie Jake Golday, who is a rookie.
— Overall, this is a zero downside move with the potential to give Flores an extra piece to work with that would fit his defense. The upside is likely limited.
Vita Vea, anybody?
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