We're counting down the Top 10 New York sports stories of 2020, and we continue with No. 9...
After a 2019 season filled with trade rumors and failed contract extension negotiations, the Jets traded away star safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks on July 25.
In return, the Jets received two first-round picks (2021 and 2022), a 2021 third-round pick, and safety Bradley McDougald. Despite moving arguably the best safety in the NFL, the Jets got a good amount of future assets from Seattle.
Meanwhile, Adams currently has a career-high 9.5 sacks and 50 solo tackles in 10 games with the Seahawks, who have Super Bowl hopes this season.
Le’Veon Bell, on the other hand, never lived up to expectations in his 17 games over two seasons with the Jets, as the team eventually cut the former All-Pro running back on Oct. 13. He would eventually sign with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal.
Bell signed a massive four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Jets prior to the 2019 season. In 15 games during his first season with the team, Bell ran for only 789 yards on 245 attempts with three touchdowns, posting his lowest yards-per-attempt numbers (3.2) of his career.
Overall, he finished his Jets’ tenure with 863 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns -- a major drop-off from the 5,336 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns he amassed over five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to coming to New York.
Adams and Bell, at one point, appeared to represent a promising future with the Jets, giving Gang Green playmakers on both sides of the ball. Ultimately, though, it was just not meant to be with either player, as the Jets elected to move on and start anew.
