RENTON, WASHINGTON
— A source tells ESPN that the Seattle Seahawks have made another contract offer to Pro Bowl strong safety Jamal Adams and are waiting to hear whether he would accept it.
Meanwhile, a source verified that the organization and Adams’ representative had not spoken in several days.
Adams is expected to sign a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL, surpassing Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos’ $15.25 million per year average.
Early in the offseason, the Seahawks and Adams’ agent began negotiating, and they proceeded until the start of training camp until their recent inaction.
Both Adams and left tackle Duane Brown arrived during camp on schedule, but have yet to participate due to their unresolved contract problems. They were both spectators at Seattle’s 10th session on Tuesday.
While it’s evident that the Seahawks intend to keep Adams, a 25-year veteran who becomes 36 later this month, it’s unclear whether they’ll do the same with Brown, a 14-year veteran who reaches 36 later this month.
According to ESPN, the Seahawks and Brown are not currently considering a new contract.
When asked if an extension for Brown is being discussed or is off the table, Carroll responded, “Nothing new is happening with that at this point.” When asked if there’s anything new with Adams, Carroll simply said, “no.”
According to the Seattle Times, Seahawks general manager John Schneider and Adams’ agent have not re-engaged in negotiations this week, and the organization is not currently in talks with Brown.
According to the New York Times, quarterback Russell Wilson has told the organization that he’s willing to shift money around in his contract to make room for Adams and Brown extensions, which a source confirmed.
The Seahawks, on the other hand, have traditionally been skeptical of deal restructures that push cap obligations into future years, having done so only twice since Schneider and Carroll joined in 2010.
When Wilson’s current contract expires after the 2023 season, another restructure would make him more expensive to extend or franchise tag.
It would add to Seattle’s already large amount of dead money if he was traded before then.
Brown’s absence, combined with injuries to three of his backups — Cedric Ogbuehi, Jamarco Jones, and Tommy Champion — has pushed rookie sixth-round pick Stone Forsythe into action at left tackle.
Carroll announced on Tuesday that Ogbuehi will be out for another several weeks due to a biceps strain.
Carroll stated in June that the club expected a contract with Adams to be completed before the start of training camp.
He expressed hope following the first practice of camp that Adams’ extension would be completed “very soon,” but Adams has yet to practice due to the lack of a agreement.
As he has watched from the sidelines, he has been engaged and in high spirits, offering guidance to younger defensive backs, dancing, applauding huge plays by Seattle’s defense, and waving to supporters.
Adams is represented by Kevin Conner, who last year helped the Buffalo Bills sign cornerback Tre’Davious White to a four-year, $69 million contract extension.
The agreement was not finalized until a week before the season began.
When the Broncos granted Simmons a four-year, $61 million contract in March that included $35 million in guarantees, he became the league’s highest-paid safety.
For the time being, Adams is due to earn $9.86 million this season, the final year of his rookie contract, which the Seahawks acquired from the New York Jets last summer in exchange for a package of assets that included two first-rounders.
