The Tennessee Titans' decision to sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams was swiftly met with mixed reviews. Adams' agreement with the Titans was initially reported to be a one-year deal, but we did not have the complete financial terms of the contract. The more intricate details were released on Saturday morning.
Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team was first to report that Adams inked a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum of $1.125 million guaranteed. Veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson has now come through with the complete details.
Adams' contract is actually worth $1.292 million with $1.062 million in guarantees. His base salary will be $1.125 million, with $985,000 of that guaranteed. The former sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft received a signing bonus worth just $167,500.
#Titans veteran safety Jamal Adams' one-year deal: $1.292 million, $1.062 million guaranteed, $167,500 signing bonus, salary $1.125 million ($985,000 guaranteed), salary cap $1.152 million under veteran salary benefit @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 13, 2024
Adams' team-friendly agreement will take up $1.152 million of Tennessee's 2024 cap space under the veteran salary benefit. That leaves Titans general manager Ran Carthon with additional wiggle room to sign another veteran ahead of training camp. According to Over The Cap, the Titans still possess $24.3 million in effective cap space.
The Titans getting Adams on a low-cost, team-friendly deal should come as no surprise. After all, the 28-year-old versatile defensive back has experienced a steep decline in recent years due to recurring injuries. This essentially qualifies as a low-risk prove-it contract between Adams and the Titans.
Nor is Adams ring chasing or playing for sizable financial gain at this point. During his recent appearance on The Official Titans Podcast (OTP) with Amie Wells and Mike Keith, Adams made it clear that playing for Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was a deciding factor for him in free agency. The former LSU standout is legitimately excited to be reuniting with Wilson, who helped coach him to consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with the New York Jets in 2018 and 2019.
The expectation is that Adams will claim a starting gig at safety opposite Amani Hooker. The Titans lack depth at the position, with the likes of Elijah Molden, Matthew Jackson, Shyheim Carter, Mike Brown, and Keaton Ellis being the other safeties on the roster. Playing some linebacker isn't out of the question as the weakside defender given that Adams is at his most effective when playing in the box.
Regardless of where Adams plays, his teammates are excited about his addition. Adams' role in Tennessee's defense will receive clarity when the Titans report to training camp later this month. For now, the complete contract details indicate the Titans aren't inheriting much financial risk.