Vikings Add Three-Time Pro Bowler Jamal Adams As Veterans Report To Camp

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Vikings are adding a decorated but oft-injured veteran to their defense on the eve of training camp.

Jamal Adams has agreed to terms with the Vikings, the 30-year-old announced Monday night on social media with a post reading “Year 10” alongside the hashtag “skol.” Multiple national outlets, including ESPN and NFL Network, confirmed the agreement. The team had not issued a formal transaction announcement as of Monday night.

Adams was the sixth overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2017 draft and quickly became one of the most disruptive defensive backs in football, earning Pro Bowl honors in three of his first four seasons and first team All-Pro recognition in 2019. The Jets traded him to Seattle before the 2020 season in a blockbuster deal that sent two first round picks and a third rounder to New York. A year later, the Seahawks signed him to a four-year, $70 million extension that made him the highest paid safety in NFL history at the time.

Injuries derailed that stretch of his career. Adams appeared in just 15 regular season games combined between 2022 and 2024, with brief stops in Tennessee and Detroit after Seattle released him. He rebounded last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing in all 17 games with four starts and posting 45 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.

Notably, Adams no longer plays safety. He took all 448 of his defensive snaps at linebacker for the Raiders in 2025. Where he fits in Minnesota is an open question, and one that plays to defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ strengths. Flores has regularly deployed three safeties at once and has used Josh Metellus as a hybrid edge rusher, linebacker and defensive back. Adams could see time at either spot.

The signing also comes with the future of longtime safety Harrison Smith unresolved. Smith has been weighing retirement, and Adams provides depth if he does not return. There is a front office connection as well. Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley was part of the Seattle personnel group that traded for Adams in 2020.

Over 102 career games with 87 starts, Adams has recorded 22.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles.

The Vikings also announced a set of roster moves Monday. Minnesota waived undrafted rookie linebacker Keli Lawson and waived undrafted rookie receiver Luke Wysong with a non football injury designation. Undrafted rookie running back Kejon Owens was designated with a non football illness.

Veterans report to TCO Performance Center in Eagan today, joining rookies who arrived Sunday. The first full practice is set for Saturday, August 1st, as part of the team’s Back Together Weekend. Camp runs through Thursday, August 20th, and includes a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, August 19th, three days before the two teams meet in a preseason game.