Entering the preseason, the Las Vegas Raiders had a chance to make a statement on several levels. Not only was it the club’s 2025-26 debut, but it served as a homecoming of sorts for head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith. Returning to play the Seattle Seahawks was also a notable opportunity for defensive chess piece Jamal Adams.
The game resulted in a rare preseason tie, but one of the main storylines in the aftermath is Adams’ performance. In just 15 snaps, the former All-Pro safety flashed his skills at a new position for his new organization.
Jamal Adams Details Transition to LB & Shares Early Thoughts on Switch
Adams is now a linebacker. Speaking to the media following an August 9 practice, he revealed that Carroll didn’t give him much of a choice in the matter.
“He straight-up told me, ‘You’re going to be the linebacker room, so get over it,'” Adams said. “I was just like, ‘Alright, [expletive], let’s do it.'”
Part of a preseason game and three tackles later, he gave an early review of his performance.
“Yeah, I think I did pretty well,” Adams said. “Obviously, some adjustment things and being closer to the line of scrimmage, it’s a different lens than being in the back end. But for the first time being out there, I thought I did pretty good.”
It’s a rapid transition for Adams, who signed with the Raiders in late July for training camp. Then again, he’s as well-suited as anyone for such a move. According to Pro Football Focus, he has far more snaps aligned in the box (2,287) than as a traditional free safety (1,418). Add in the 559 reps he has along the front of the formation and his 974 slot snaps, and you get someone who was a jack of all trades during his prime.
Now, Adams can focus on simply executing one set of tasks at a time. What’s different at linebacker for the Raiders? He dove into that as best he could given he’s never played the position before.
“You’re closer in the box,” Adams said. “You’re understanding keys, you’re shooting gaps, you’re reading the running backs. It’s very similar in a lot of ways but like I say, I always tell people it’s just a different lens. I’m closer to the guards and the tackles, they can get their hands on me. I’ve got to, obviously, have great eyes to know what I’m looking at, having the right keys. While you’re in the back, you’ve got a whole lens [and] a whole view of what’s going on. It’s very similar in a lot of ways, but different as well.”
Adams Glad to Be on Other Side of Injuries
Despite not turning 30 until mid-October, Adams has a lot of wear and tear on his body. Since 2022, the three-time Pro Bowler has appeared in just 15 games. Splitting action between Seattle (with Carroll), the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans, he’s failed to recapture his peak form or come remotely close to it.
Adams posted an 87.0 PFF grade in 2022, but in just a fraction of one game. The following season, that number cratered to 54.9 in nine outings. Last year, he played five games across two franchises but had a career-worst 43.0 grade. Injuries to his ankle, groin, shoulder, knee and hip have undoubtedly piled up.
The Raiders took a chance on Adams, though, in hopes that he can stay healthy. Now on the other side of a serious quadriceps ailment, he’s grateful for the journey back and is happy to have a new destination.
“It was different for me,” Adams said. “Very humbling. For me to sit down and obviously just gain perspective — not even just football, just life after football — it was tough. There were a lot of dark days, but I fought through. I knew eventually I would get back out there, but it was going to take time, and it definitely did. Just to be where I’m at now mentally and physically, I’m definitely back to who I am.”
Las Vegas will aim for Adams to not just make the 53-man roster, but also be a co
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