Latest DK Metcalf trade offer from Jets is a painful reminder for Seahawks fans

The New York Jets sent a not-so-casual reminder with their DK Metcalf offer than the Seahawks could have had more had they not traded for Jamal Adams. 

Although DK Metcalf has made it clear that he hasn’t heard anything about a trade out of Seattle, that hasn’t deterred teams around the league from asking about him.

The New York Jets joined the fray, offering the Seahawks a No. 10 pick for Metcalf. The Seahawks declined, proving there are limits to their 2022 rebuild, but it’s hard to imagine that this offer from the Jets wasn’t sent over with a twinge of irony.

That No. 10 pick was originally the Seahawks’ pick, but they traded that pick, a first-round and third-round pick last year, and Bradley McDougald for Jamal Adams.

At the time, Adams was a versatile strong safety who had an impressive career with the Jets, which garnered the attention of Seattle. While Seattle sought to bolster their defense when they traded for Adams in 2020, the Seahawks defense has had an arduous battle against NFL offenses in the seasons since—and Adams in particular has struggled in his current role.

Meanwhile, the Jets are enjoying the benefits of guard Alijah Vera-Tucker while the Seahawks had to trade Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos just to get the No. 9 pick—a pick above what they would have had if they didn’t steal Adams from the Jets.

Jets remind Seahawks how much they lost in Jamal Adams trade with DK Metcalf offer

While the Adams trade hasn’t turned out the way the Seahawks have imagined for a variety of reasons, the burden of compensating for all that forgone draft capital is difficult for any NFL player to balance. FanSided’s Carson Shroer illustrated that with that No. 23 pick alone, the Seahawks could have taken someone like Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw, Ravens DE Odafe Oweh, or Eagles C Landon Dickerson. The offensive line has been a point of concern for Seattle since Adams has been there, and while Adams contributed at safety, the Seahawks also lack the strong corners they once had in their Legion of Boom days.

Free safety Quandre Diggs exemplifies how well a trade can go in making change on defense, but part of the issue with Adams is that he hasn’t been utilized properly. There have been several instances of Adams getting beat on plays because his coverage isn’t as strong: what he excels at is being a hybrid safety/linebacker. Additionally, Adams has faced injury at various points throughout his first two seasons, which limited how much he was able to contribute.

It’s not that Adams is a bad player, as his accolades and reel clearly denote that he wields top NFL talent. But he hasn’t been utilized properly in Seattle’s defense, and getting him still cost Seattle two first round picks and then some.

Adams cost so much, in fact, that the Jets had the gall to offer Seattle their own pick to steal away DK Metcalf. It would have been the perfect vengeful heist for the Jets, but for the Seahawks, even the offer is a reminder of how much Adams needs to compensate for without that draft capital.