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Jamal Adams battled depression while playing with Jets: ‘It took a toll on my life’

Jamal Adams was in a bad place at the end of his time with the New York Jets.

Adams, who is in the middle of his first season with the Seattle Seahawks after spending his first three years in the league in New York, said Tuesday that he was battling depression before he was traded away.

Though there were a lot of factors, one of the biggest issues was that the Jets “do not want to win,” he said on the “All Things Covered” podcast.

“Bro, I fought depression in New York,” Adams said. “And I’m man enough to say it. I came home after a tough loss and just sat in my room in the dark — no phone, no TV. [My dad] hated to see me like that. It killed my pops so much … He was calling my agent at the time saying, ‘Hey man, I don’t like seeing my son like this. I need him out of this situation.’

“It took a toll on my life outside of football.”

Former New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams battled depression at the end of his time with the New York Jets, he said on Tuesday. (AP/Gary Landers)

Adams: ‘The Jets were the laughingstock’

Adams was selected No. 6 overall by the Jets in 2017, and racked up 273 total tackles and two interceptions over his three seasons with the team. He clashed with the front office by the end of his time there. The Jets reportedly approached Adams about a contract extension, though negotiations were later delayed repeatedly amid reports that he clashed with head coach Adam Gase — who he repeatedly criticized publicly.

Adams was finally traded to the Seahawks for three future draft picks in July. He has compiled 35 total tackles with Seattle (6-3).

“Let’s be honest. The Jets were the laughingstock,” Adams said. “[In Seattle], this is how the NFL is supposed to be. This is the dream I was dreamin’.”

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