Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Lions Potentially End Former All-Pro's Career With Week 18 Release

Detroit cut S Jamal Adams from the practice squad this week, possibly ending his career in the process.

By Joe Summers

December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches warm ups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches warm ups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The Lions unceremoniously released former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams from their practice squad on Thursday, potentially ending the 29-year-old veteran's NFL career.

Adams appeared in only two games for Detroit this season despite all of the injuries the Lions are dealing with. He hasn't played at least 10 games since 2021 and has worn out his welcome at multiple franchises. When you couple the frustrations he causes with the lack of production, you're looking at a guy who will now be fighting just to get on another practice squad.

If this Detroit squad can't find a place for you on defense, it's hard to imagine how many other teams would be lining up for your services.

Lions May Have Ended S Jamal Adams' Career With Release

Adams was called up in Weeks 14 and 15 but didn't play many snaps, notching 20 total. Even in limited time, Pro Football Focus ranked him 156th out of 166 qualified safeties. He's fallen off a cliff since he was a three-time All-Pro with the Jets and Seahawks and doesn't appear to be someone who can positively impact a defense at this point.

It's been an unfortunate fall from grace for Adams, who was drafted sixth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was immediately one of the most dominant safeties in the league but aside from one strong year in Seattle, Adams hasn't been the same since leaving New York.

He spent time with the Tennessee Titans earlier this year as well before getting cut, and he's now been released by a second team with the playoffs right around the corner. During those two games with Detroit, he surrendered 116.7 passer rating when targeted in coverage, a far cry from the 74.7 mark he gave up in his rookie season.

Theoretically, Adams could land on a rebuilding team's practice squad, though even that feels unlikely. He'll regroup in the offseason in hopes of landing a training camp invitation to prove he can still play, but he's running out of options considering all of the young talent injected into the league on an annual basis.

He's still a three-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, accomplishments no one can take away from him. Nonetheless, this can't be how Adams originally envisioned his career ending after the incredible start he got off to. Time and injuries zapped his effectiveness and he may be out of opportunities to stick around in the NFL.

More Detroit Lions News:

feed

Home/Detroit Lions