“It’s not in my nature to remain silent when I see something amiss, whether it involves coaches, players, or anyone else,” Adams shared on Wednesday after the game. “When you’re part of a team that has a winning culture, it’s clear when things are off. I took a moment to voice that opinion.” His remarks came after the Jets’ fourth consecutive loss, bringing their record to 2-5, and he delivered his feedback passionately but not with aggression.
Adams noted, “I wouldn’t say I was loud, but it certainly wasn’t quiet.” The sentiment from the team seemed to resonate; quarterback Aaron Rodgers described Adams’ words as the most genuine locker room speech he’s encountered in his two decades in the league. He had only recently joined the Jets on October 15, so he was initially apprehensive about how his commentary would be received, given his limited time with most of the players.
“I must do everything I can to help the team progress,” Adams continued. “Energy is crucial to performing well or even achieving a memorable play. I couldn’t have stayed silent about this.” His speech was well-received by everyone on the team, including interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who praised Adams for quickly grasping the locker room dynamics and for his contribution to team morale.
After the game, Rodgers pointed out the team’s lack of energy before and during halftime, a view Adams echoed. “Sometimes you have to fake it, but energy is essential,” Adams said. Drawing on his experience in Green Bay, he noticed a lack of celebration and support among teammates when significant plays occurred, such as Breece Hall’s impressive 57-yard catch-and-run.
Adams made it clear that he didn’t come to the Jets to be a one-man show. The game itself had drawn attention, even from notable figures like Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who attended the matchup. Adams reflected, “Everyone was watching, including Trump. I’m not certain if my presence had anything to do with it, but there’s a narrative that expects me to shine with amazing stats.”
With a rich history of playing in franchises boasting a total of seven Super Bowl victories—four with the Packers and three with the Raiders—Adams noted the stark contrast with the Jets, who haven’t reached the playoffs in a record 13 consecutive years and have not played in a Super Bowl since their lone championship in 1968.
“I wouldn’t label any team I’m part of as a losing organization, but some challenges have persisted here in recent seasons,” he expressed, emphasizing that winning often hinges on more than just talent. “It involves learning how to win and understanding the small components that can be rectified internally, provided that the right individuals are in place. Winning experience matters as much as having skilled players.”
Adams is determined to help cultivate a winning mindset within the Jets, believing that the right mentality is crucial for rebuilding the team’s culture.
