The Seattle Seahawks are facing a crucial decision regarding the future of safety Jamal Adams. With the recent announcement of a higher-than-expected salary cap for the NFL in 2024, the team's general manager, John Schneider, acknowledged the challenge of Adams' hefty contract.

According to Over The Cap, the Seahawks currently have approximately $12 million in cap space, ranking them as the 11th lowest in the league as of last Friday. Given Adams' nonguaranteed $16.5 million salary for 2024 and his whopping $26.9 million cap hit, it seems difficult to justify keeping him in Seattle.

Adams' performance has been hampered by injuries, resulting in three consecutive injury-shortened seasons and zero sacks during that period. Furthermore, his price tag is viewed as untenable for a player who has struggled to stay on the field and make an impact since his impressive debut in 2020.

During the scouting combine, Schneider remained noncommittal when asked about Adams' fit into the defensive plans of new head coach Mike Macdonald. Schneider stated that they are still working through those decisions and trying to figure out the best course of action.

The uncertainty surrounding Adams extends to Geno Smith as well. The Seahawks recently restructured Smith's contract, improving their cap situation. However, with the need for further restructuring or player subtractions ahead of the start of free agency on March 13, it remains to be seen what the Seahawks will do.

Releasing Adams would alleviate his $16.5 million base salary for 2024 and the $17.5 million he is scheduled to earn in 2025, the final year of his contract. If they choose a standard release, the Seahawks would save $7.3 million against the 2024 cap while incurring $19.6 million in dead money. Alternatively, designating Adams as a post-June 1 release would enable them to push half of the dead money into 2025, resulting in a savings of $17.1 million against the 2024 cap. However, the team would have to carry the entire cap charge until June 2, limiting their options during the initial stages of free agency.

Aside from the possibility of a release or trade, the Seahawks could consider a contract restructure to lower Adams' cap number. However, this would not address his $16.5 million base salary, necessitating a potential pay cut.

Another option the Seahawks may consider is postponing the decision on Adams until the summer. This would give them time to evaluate his progress after undergoing surgery to repair a quadriceps tendon injury above his left knee, which plagued him throughout the 2023 season. However, regardless of the timing, the team would still need to address Adams' bloated contract in relation to his recent production.

Adams' performance has declined since his Pro Bowl season in 2020, where he set a record for defensive backs with 9.5 sacks in 12 games. Since then, he has missed a significant number of games due to injuries, finishing each of the past three seasons on injured reserve.

The fate of Jamal Adams remains uncertain, with the Seahawks needing to carefully assess their financial constraints and Adams' recent performance. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the team's future and contribute to the ongoing offseason roster evaluation.