Odds On Where Will Jamal Adams Play in 2020?
Updated October 28, 2026
Updated October 28, 2026
Jamal Adams wants out of New York. The Jets want to keep him. And with the 2020 NFL season approaching, sportsbooks are offering odds on where the All-Pro safety will play his first regular-season down.
Contract disputes are nothing unusual in the NFL, particularly during the offseason. Players approaching the end of their rookie deals often push for extensions, while teams try to maintain financial flexibility.
Adams' situation has become considerably more complicated.
The 24-year-old safety has publicly expressed frustration with the Jets' front office and requested a trade. He has also identified several teams he would welcome joining, including the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks.
The Jets insist they have no plans to trade him, making New York the betting favorite. However, Adams' dissatisfaction has created an interesting futures market.
So, where will Jamal Adams play in 2020, and which team offers the best betting value?
BetMGM has released odds on the team for which Adams will play his first down of the 2020 NFL regular season.
The Jets are favored at +150, while Dallas is the leading alternative at +550.
Team | Odds |
|---|---|
New York Jets | +150 |
Dallas Cowboys | +550 |
Houston Texans | +800 |
San Francisco 49ers | +800 |
Philadelphia Eagles | +800 |
Seattle Seahawks | +1000 |
Baltimore Ravens | +1000 |
Cleveland Browns | +2000 |
Kansas City Chiefs | +2000 |
Las Vegas Raiders | +2500 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +2500 |
Miami Dolphins | +3000 |
Carolina Panthers | +3000 |
New Orleans Saints | +3000 |
Tennessee Titans | +3000 |
Los Angeles Chargers | +4000 |
Indianapolis Colts | +4000 |
New England Patriots | +5000 |
Washington Redskins | +5000 |
Denver Broncos | +5000 |
Los Angeles Rams | +5000 |
Atlanta Falcons | +5000 |
Cincinnati Bengals | +6500 |
Arizona Cardinals | +6500 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | +8000 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | +8000 |
New York Giants | +8000 |
Detroit Lions | +8000 |
Green Bay Packers | +8000 |
Minnesota Vikings | +8000 |
Buffalo Bills | +10000 |
Chicago Bears | +10000 |
Historical BetMGM odds published June 23, 2020. These prices apply to Adams' first regular-season down of 2020.
The market gives New York the shortest odds because the Jets still control Adams' contract.
However, several potential trade destinations offer considerably larger payouts.
Dallas stands out at +550, particularly given Adams' reported interest in joining the Cowboys.
Seattle and Baltimore are further down the board at +1000, despite appearing on his list of preferred teams.
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Adams has established himself as one of the NFL's best safeties since New York selected him sixth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
He earned Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and 2019 and was named a first-team All-Pro following the 2019 season.
That performance has made him one of the Jets' most valuable defensive players.
However, Adams wants a new contract that reflects his status among the league's elite safeties.
The Jets have been reluctant to move forward with an extension, despite Adams having two years remaining on his rookie contract.
The disagreement has damaged the relationship between the player and the organization.
Adams has questioned the team's commitment to him and made it clear that he would welcome a change.
New York has little immediate incentive to move Adams.
He remains under contract through the 2021 season, giving the Jets considerable leverage.
The organization can retain one of its best defensive players without committing to a major extension immediately.
Trading him would also create a significant hole in the secondary.
Adams is an effective tackler, pass rusher, and defensive leader.
Replacing that combination would be difficult.
For those reasons, New York is the favorite at +150.
However, keeping an unhappy star player presents its own challenges.
If Adams becomes increasingly frustrated, the situation could create distractions during training camp and the regular season.
A trade might eventually become the more practical solution.
Adams has reportedly identified seven preferred trade destinations:
Each team offers an opportunity to compete for a playoff position, with several having realistic Super Bowl ambitions.
The Jets are under no obligation to honor Adams' preferences.
However, the list could influence negotiations.
A team outside his preferred destinations might hesitate to surrender valuable draft picks for a player who could leave after his current contract expires.
That makes his preferred teams the most interesting options in the betting market.
New York is the betting favorite for a straightforward reason: the Jets do not have to trade Adams.
General manager Joe Douglas can reject offers that fail to meet the team's asking price.
With Adams under contract for two more seasons, New York can afford to be patient.
That gives the Jets an advantage over potential trade partners.
The Jets have invested heavily in Adams.
He is one of the team's best defensive players and a central part of its plans.
Moving him would require a substantial return.
New York would likely demand premium draft capital and possibly additional players.
Finding a team willing to meet that price could prove difficult.
There is also the possibility that Adams' public frustration is part of a negotiating strategy.
Players sometimes apply pressure through trade requests when contract discussions stall.
If the Jets eventually make an acceptable offer, Adams could reconsider his position.
The Jets are the most obvious selection, but +150 offers a relatively modest return.
A $100 wager would generate $150 in profit if Adams remained with New York for his first regular-season down.
The concern is that the relationship may already have deteriorated too far.
Adams has publicly questioned the organization and expressed a clear desire to leave.
Keeping him without resolving the contract dispute could create further problems.
The Jets may eventually decide that receiving a strong trade package is preferable to continuing the disagreement.
Dallas has emerged as one of the most intriguing destinations.
Adams has expressed interest in joining the Cowboys, and the team's need for defensive improvement makes the possibility attractive.
The Cowboys also have the advantage of playing in a market Adams reportedly finds appealing.
At +550, Dallas offers a much larger payout than New York.
Adams has reportedly been pushing for a trade to the Cowboys.
The opportunity to play in Dallas appears particularly attractive to him.
He grew up in Lewisville, Texas, near the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and joining the Cowboys would bring him closer to home.
The Cowboys' national profile could also create commercial opportunities outside football.
That matters because Adams has reportedly indicated he would be willing to delay his contract demands if traded to Dallas.
Such flexibility could make a deal easier to negotiate.
The Cowboys have several important financial commitments, including quarterback Dak Prescott's contract situation.
Adding Adams would create another major consideration.
However, his willingness to delay an extension could make a trade more manageable in the short term.
Dallas would still need to satisfy the Jets' asking price.
Reports have suggested the Cowboys previously offered a first-round pick, which New York rejected.
An improved offer might be necessary.
The question is how much Dallas is willing to surrender for an elite safety.
The Cowboys have a compelling case.
Adams wants to play there, Dallas could use his defensive talent, and the player may be willing to compromise on the timing of a new contract.
At +550, a $100 wager would return $550 in profit if Dallas became his first regular-season team.
The main obstacle is New York's asking price.
Still, Dallas offers an appealing combination of player interest and potential betting value.
Seattle is another team on Adams' preferred list.
The Seahawks have been regular playoff contenders under Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson.
Adding Adams would strengthen a defense looking to improve after a difficult 2019 season.
Adams would give Seattle a versatile defensive playmaker.
He can line up near the line of scrimmage, pressure quarterbacks, and contribute against the run.
That versatility could make him an attractive addition to Carroll's defense.
Seattle also offers the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl.
For a player frustrated with his current team's direction, joining a consistent contender could be appealing.
The Seahawks would need to surrender significant assets.
New York is unlikely to accept a modest offer for an All-Pro safety with two years remaining on his contract.
Seattle would also need to consider Adams' long-term financial expectations.
At +1000, the odds are attractive, but the potential trade cost makes the outcome difficult to predict.
Baltimore is among the NFL's most competitive teams entering the 2020 season.
The Ravens finished 14-2 in 2019 and have an established defensive identity.
Adams would fit naturally into that approach.
His physicality, versatility, and ability to pressure quarterbacks could make Baltimore's defense even more dangerous.
The Ravens also offer a realistic opportunity to compete for a championship.
However, Baltimore already has considerable talent in its secondary.
The organization would need to decide if acquiring Adams justifies the required draft capital and future contract commitment.
At +1000, Baltimore is an interesting alternative, although there is less evidence of an imminent deal than with Dallas.
Three teams share +800 odds.
Each offers a different reason for Adams to consider a move.
Houston has reached the playoffs in four of the previous five seasons.
The Texans could benefit from adding a player of Adams' caliber to their defense.
However, the organization would need to find the right combination of draft picks and salary flexibility to make a deal possible.
San Francisco reached Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.
The 49ers already possess one of the NFL's strongest defenses, making Adams an intriguing addition.
His versatility could give defensive coordinator Robert Saleh additional options.
However, San Francisco must also consider the financial cost of adding another high-profile defensive player.
Philadelphia is another preferred destination.
The Eagles have a competitive roster and could benefit from Adams' ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage.
His physical style would suit the team's defensive approach.
The challenge is finding a trade package that satisfies New York without sacrificing too much future flexibility.
Kansas City enters 2020 as the defending Super Bowl champion.
Joining the Chiefs would give Adams an immediate opportunity to compete for another title.
However, Kansas City already has significant financial commitments to key players.
The Chiefs would need to balance the potential benefits of acquiring Adams against their salary-cap situation.
At +2000, the payout is substantial.
Still, a trade would require Kansas City to make a major investment in a position where it already has established talent.
The Jets have the clearest path to keeping Adams.
They control his contract, have expressed no desire to trade him, and can reject offers that fail to meet their expectations.
That makes New York the logical favorite.
However, the betting market is about more than identifying the most likely outcome.
The odds must also justify the risk.
Dallas offers an interesting alternative at +550.
Adams has expressed a desire to join the Cowboys, and he appears willing to provide some flexibility regarding a new contract.
That could help Dallas justify a stronger trade offer.
Seattle and Baltimore are also credible destinations, but their potential involvement is less clearly defined.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys +550
Dallas offers the most appealing combination of player preference, team fit, and betting value.
Adams wants to join the Cowboys, and the possibility of delaying his extension demands could help facilitate a deal.
The Jets would still need to receive an acceptable trade package.
However, Dallas has enough reasons to pursue Adams that the +550 price is worth considering.
Take the Cowboys.
Jamal Adams began the 2020 NFL season with the Seattle Seahawks.
On July 25, 2020, New York traded Adams to Seattle in one of the offseason's biggest deals.
The trade came just over a month after the original June 23 betting analysis.
Seattle had been listed at +1000 in the BetMGM market.
That made the Seahawks a substantial underdog compared with New York and Dallas.
Seattle received:
New York received:
The deal gave the Jets a substantial return for their All-Pro safety.
Seattle acquired a defensive playmaker it believed could strengthen its championship ambitions.
The Seahawks ultimately met the type of demanding trade price that had made an Adams deal appear difficult in June.
The July 25 trade settled the key question behind the futures market, with Adams going on to play his first regular-season down for Seattle.
Selection | Original odds | Result |
|---|---|---|
Seattle Seahawks | +1000 | Won |
New York Jets | +150 | Lost |
Dallas Cowboys | +550 | Lost |
Baltimore Ravens | +1000 | Lost |
Houston Texans | +800 | Lost |
San Francisco 49ers | +800 | Lost |
Philadelphia Eagles | +800 | Lost |
Seattle was the winning selection.
The original ATS.io recommendation of Dallas +550 lost.
A $100 wager on Seattle at +1000 would have generated:
Wager | Amount |
|---|---|
Stake | $100 |
Odds | +1000 |
Profit | $1,000 |
Total return | $1,100 |
A $50 wager would have generated $500 in profit, plus the original $50 stake.
These calculations assume the wager was accepted and settled under the quoted market rules.
Adams made an immediate impact after joining the Seahawks.
He played 12 regular-season games in 2020 and recorded 9.5 sacks.
That set an NFL single-season record for sacks by a defensive back.
His ability to pressure quarterbacks became a major part of Seattle's defensive approach.
The Seahawks finished the regular season 12-4 and won the NFC West.
However, their playoff run ended with a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round.
Despite the early postseason exit, Adams' first season in Seattle demonstrated why the Seahawks had been willing to surrender significant draft capital to acquire him.
Adams played for the Seattle Seahawks after being traded by the New York Jets.
The Jets traded Adams to Seattle on July 25, 2020.
Seattle was listed at +1000 in the original BetMGM next-team market.
The New York Jets were favored at +150 to be the team for which Adams played his first regular-season down.
Dallas was listed at +550.
Travis Pulver recommended the Dallas Cowboys at +550.
No. Adams was traded to Seattle.
At +1000, a winning $100 bet would have produced $1,000 in profit.
New York received Bradley McDougald, two first-round draft picks, and a third-round pick.
Adams was frustrated with the Jets' handling of contract extension discussions and wanted to leave the organization.
No. Seattle lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round.
Adams recorded 9.5 sacks in 12 regular-season games.
The Jets entered the summer of 2020 as the favorites to retain Jamal Adams.
They controlled his contract and had publicly expressed little interest in trading him.
Dallas appeared to be the strongest alternative, particularly given Adams' preference for joining the Cowboys and his reported willingness to delay contract negotiations.
Those factors supported the original ATS.io selection at +550.
However, Seattle ultimately offered the trade package New York wanted.
The Seahawks acquired Adams on July 25, giving bettors who backed Seattle at +1000 a winning selection.
The original Cowboys pick lost, while the Seahawks delivered a ten-to-one payout.
→ Our Take: Dallas was an understandable selection based on Adams' stated preferences in June 2020, but Seattle ultimately made the decisive offer. The Seahawks' willingness to surrender two first-round picks was the difference. Bettors who backed Seattle at +1000 were rewarded, while the original Dallas +550 recommendation did not cash.
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