The NFC West has become one of the toughest, if not the toughest division in all of football. Each of the four teams have talent all over the roster. For the past two seasons, the winner of the NFC West has played their way to the Super Bowl, with both teams coming empty handed.
For the Seattle Seahawks, they have not won the division since 2016. As a matter of fact, during the Russell Wilson Era the Seahawks have made seven playoff appearances but only won the division three times during the run.
On July 25, the Seahawks agreed to send safety Bradley McDougald, first-round picks in 2021 and 2022 and a third-round pick in 2021 to the New York Jets in exchange for All-Pro safety Jamal Adams and the Jets’ fourth-round pick in 2022.
The trade came one month after Adams made his unhappiness known to the public and requested to be traded. The Jets had no intention on trading the pro bowl safety but ultimately obliged, adding two more draft picks for the future. Adams made it clear he wanted no part of the Jets, even going so far to attack coach Adam Gase in a newspaper interview and owner Woody Johnson on twitter.
We need the RIGHT people at the top. Wrong is wrong! https://t.co/iMpPfHzRV9
— Jamal Adams (@Prez) July 22, 2020
The Seahawks were on Adam’s original seven trade destinations that were originally proposed to the Jets. The other six franchises were the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs,Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers.
Solidifying a strong defense
Adams now joins a defensive backfield that includes Shaquill Griffin, Tre Flowers and Quandre Diggs. Not to mention Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Bruce Irvin, Jarran Reed and Poona Ford in the front seven.
Over the course of three years Adams has 273 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. Even though the turnovers aren’t there, Adams had both a fumble recovery and an interception for a touchdown last season, posting 25 passes defended and has forced six fumbles for his young career.
If there is one comparison that should help ease the worries of Seahawks, Adams could be what Tyrann Mathieu was on the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl defense. Mathieu went on to say that Adams is “a bigger version of me.” Mathieu was a big reason the run defense was better in 2019 versus 2018. Mathieu flew all over the field in that Kansas City system, something Adams could do in the Seahawks defense.
Running the west
Following the trade, it became clear the Seahawks are aiming for the NFC West crown in 2020.
As much as the Arizona Cardinals improved, there are still too many question marks surrounding the team. The Los Angeles Rams are in that weird place where the organization looks to be rebuilding but want to be competitive at the same time. And then there's the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle has San Francisco's number when it comes to head to head matches, winning three of the last five games against the division rival.
Adams will add intrigue in the upcoming season. Adams will most likely be given the task of hovering tight end George Kittle while being a big presence in the Seattle's run defense. San Francisco has a lot more question marks at the wide receiver spot with the Seattle defensive backs having the edge in the matchup.
If the two teams do battle on the field, it will definitely be must see TV.