As the New York Jets tried to rejuvenate their offense with the addition of Aaron Rodgers, they concurrently fortified their high-caliber defense by bringing in Rodgers’ former comrade, Adrian Amos. While Rodgers handed the reins to the Jets’ new quarterback, Zach Wilson, the veteran safety continued to contribute his defensive expertise, observing firsthand the challenges faced by the team.
The Jets, grappling with the void left by Rodgers, experienced anticipated struggles, yet the extent of their woes proved unexpected. Despite the team’s ongoing struggles, they harbor hopes of a playoff run. Nevertheless, just ahead of their crucial Week 13 clash, the Jets made headlines with a surprising move, signaling a potential shift in their defensive dynamics.
How much did Adrian Amos earn at the Jets?
Adrian Amos, entering the 2023 NFL off-season as a free agent, sought a new home after his Green Bay Packers contract expired. The seasoned safety inked a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Jets, per Spotrac. It featured a base salary of $1,250,000, a $500,000 signing bonus, and an enticing $900,000 as incentives.
The signing followed an unfortunate injury to Jets safety Chuck Clark, creating an opening for Amos to potentially assume a starting role. Nevertheless, the emergence of second-year safety Tony Adams during training camp reshaped the team’s plans. Adams’ outstanding performance earned him the starting position alongside Jordan Whitehead, relegating Amos to a backup role.
While Amos had high hopes for making a significant impact with the Jets, the dynamics of the roster, influenced by Adams’ rise, led to a diminished role for the veteran.
Jets part ways with backup safety
In an astonishing move that unfolded just 24 hours before their anticipated clash with the Atlanta Falcons, the Jets have bid farewell to veteran backup safety Adrian Amos. The announcement of Amos’ release came on Saturday, marking the end of his stint with the Jets after a brief 11-game tenure.
Amos, a seasoned professional with eight years of experience, notably with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, took on a backup role for the Jets. Yet, recent weeks saw a reduction in his playing time, leading to what insiders have labeled a mutual parting of ways, as reported by ESPN sources.
Despite starting in three games and participating in 248 defensive snaps, Amos’ role diminished. It prompted the Jets to reevaluate their defensive lineup. The veteran concluded his brief tenure with Gang Green by amassing 23 tackles and one pass defended, contributing 34 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and 63 percent of special team snaps this season.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini disclosed that the safety ranked “third” among the Jets’ safeties in snap rate this year. The decision to release Amos aligns with the team’s strategy to provide more playing time for emerging talents like Ashtyn Davis and rookie Jarrick Bernard-Converse.
Adrian Amos, who shared the field with quarterback Aaron Rodgers for four seasons, may have seen the potential for a reunion, especially as Rodgers hinted at his return during Week 17 and the Jets also opened a 21-day window for the vet. Nevertheless, the Jets have opted to reshape their defensive dynamics, signaling the end, at least for now, of the Rodgers-Amos duo on the field.
Do you think the move was a justified one?
