Jamal Adams: 'I Salute' Bill Belichick for Reported Cam Newton Patriots Contract

Consider Jamal Adams among those thrilled to see quarterback Cam Newton sign a deal with the New England Patriots—even if it means the two may be divisional rivals by the time the season starts.   

While the disgruntled safety for the New York Jets continues to seek a trade amid a contract dispute, he tweeted praise of Pats head coach Bill Belichick shortly after ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen reported the quarterback was headed to AFC East. 

The tweet may not go over too well with a faction of Jets fans considering the heated rivalry between New York and New England, which dates back to before Belichick and the Patriots were caught taping the Jets' defensive signals in the Spygate scandal of 2007.

Yet Adams was far from alone among his peers in praising the move. Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant, DeMarcus Ware and others were all ecstatic about the deal. 

Newton's inability to sign a contract had been one of the more puzzling storylines this offseason. 

Even with the quarterback's injury history, he's a prolific passer who is adept at getting creative outside the pocket and scrambling downfield when necessary. 

Aside from 2019, when he played just two games, Newton hasn't passed for fewer than 3,300 yards since 2014—the year before he won MVP. 

For New England, this amounts to a win-win situation. The club was already prepared to move ahead with a quarterback battle between Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Should Newton supplant them, the Patriots will have found a starter at a minimal salary. 

If Newton falters, it's no harm, no foul. 

If he plays well and decides to leave as a free agent after the season, the team could get a compensatory 2022 third-round draft pick after the NFL stripped the club of a third-rounder in 2021 for illegally taping the Cincinnati Bengals sideline last season. 

As for Adams, Jets fans need not worry about his sudden affection for Belichick. The Patriots are not one of the several teams he submitted as desired destinations in his request for a trade.