Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacting on the sideline during an NFL game.
The New York Jets arrived just in the nick of time.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said on “The Can’t-Wait Podcast” that veteran safety Adrian Amos was set to be a “Raven or a Packer and then the Jets came in with their offer.”
“He visited with the Ravens twice [and] I think they were only going to make him a third safety and the money wasn’t as good,” Rosenblatt explained on the June 14 episode of the show. “He was also considering going back to the Packers.”
Jets Swooped in Last Second to Sign Adrian Amos in Free Agency
“I don’t know exactly what day [the Jets] came in with the offer, but it was recent,” Rosenblatt stated on “The Can’t-Wait Podcast.”
Field Yates of ESPN revealed the pertinent details of the contract on Twitter. The Jets signed Amos to a one-year deal with a maximum value of $4 million. The base value of the deal is $1.75 million and that includes both the base salary and signing bonus.
In addition, $2.25 million was built into the deal. $900,000 of that money is considered LTBE [likely to be earned incentives]. The cap charge for Gang Green will be $2.65 million, per Yates.
Rosenblatt indicated that the Jets were very comfortable with rolling into training camp with their safety room as constructed. However, the signing of Amos was a “clear reaction” to the serious injury suffered by Chuck Clark.
Jets Free Agent Recruiting Pitch to Amos Revealed
Amos became the seventh former teammate of Aaron Rodgers to join the Jets roster:
- Malik Taylor, wide receiver
- Adam Pankey, offensive lineman
- Tim Boyle, quarterback
- Allen Lazard, wide receiver
- Randall Cobb, wideout
- Billy Turner, offensive lineman
Although according to Rosenblatt that wasn’t a primary reason the veteran safety chose to come to New York.
“I don’t think the Aaron Rodgers factor had necessarily anything to do with this. Maybe they went to Aaron and be like, hey what do you think of Adrian?”
The Jets came in offering money and an opportunity to start. With Clark being seriously hurt a spot surprisingly opened up on the depth chart for the Jets in the safety room ahead of training camp.
The cherry on top of course was the chance to compete for a Super Bowl.
“I’d say the Jets probably have a better chance at the Super Bowl than the Packers certainly and I’d argue the Ravens but you could debate about that if you want,” Rosenblatt stated on “The Can’t-Wait Podcast.”
The Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2010 season. Gang Green hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since the 1968 campaign.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated called it “mind-blowing” that players are viewing the Jets as a sudden championship contender considering its tortured history. However, he also said that no one was running to Tampa Bay in 2019 before Tom Brady arrived.
That mentality on 1 Jets Drive provides New York with a new way to “build depth and experience into their roster,” Breer said in a column posted on June 14.
There is no guarantee how long it’ll last but the Jets would be smart to continue to try and take advantage of it.
