Jamal Adams: The Lions’ Pride! Safety’s Love for Team Shines Bright

On Sunday, as the Detroit Lions look to add healthy players to an injury-riddled defense, news they were signing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad landed as surprising. After asking the Tennessee Titans to release him earlier this season, amid another injury, he was awaiting an opportunity to join a playoff contender.

Adams practiced for the first time as a Lion on Monday, spotted working as a linebacker during individual drills. With how depleted the Lions are by injuries at linebacker, and what Adams has become skill set-wise as the more recent years of his career have gone on, that practice work is not surprising.

Adams spoke with reporters after Monday’s practice.

“It’s no better opportunity, man,” Adams said. about joining the Lions. “Obviously, just being home in Dallas and continuing to train where I’m from. When AG called, it was a no-brainer for me.”

Adams said he feels like he can do “a little bit of everything”, and his track record says he can. Injuries have limited to 10 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and he played in three games for Tennessee this season.

Jamal Adams reveals history with Aaron Glenn

Adams revealed some history with a member of the Lions’ staff. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, then the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints, ran his Pro Day at LSU in 2017.

“He ran the show, and I was doing the drills,” Adams said. “From that point on, we’ve always kept a close connection. A hell of a coach, as everybody knows, but an even better person.”

Adams was also asked about how he got the call from the Lions.

“It was a text, but my agent and my pops called me and they were like, ‘Hey, man, answer your phone!’ I’m like, ‘Answer my phone? For what? What’s going on?'” Adams said.

“AG!” they told him.

“I’m like, ‘AG? With Detroit?!'” Adams said. “So, it was cool. Just to be here, I’m very fortunate,” he said.

Adams was asked about his perspective from afar on the Lions over the last couple years.

“I mean, they’ve been kicking everybody’s a**,” Adams said. “So I’m fortunate enough to, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like that. And whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”

Adams finished his session with reporters with a summary of his appreciation for the opportunity he has with the Lions.

“Man, again, it’s a dream come true. They didn’t have to call me, they didn’t need me, they’ve been doing phenomenal,” he said. “So just to get that call from a first-class organization like the Detroit Lions, it’s a no-brainer for me. Again, wherever they want me out there, whenever they call my name and call my number, I’m there.”

It’s unclear if Adams will be elevated to the game day roster and play Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, but (as should be obvious) reports have suggested he’ll be on the active roster at some point (and probably soon). When asked how quickly he expects to play, he smiled and said “We’ll see.”