John Lynch Denies Rumor 49ers Discussed Jamal Adams Trade with Jets

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch denied the team showed interest in safety Jamal Adams before he was traded from the New York Jets to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

"Totally inaccurate," Lynch told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday. "We did not ever make a call about the player."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported "parties involved believed" the Niners and Dallas Cowboys were the other teams discussing Adams with the Jets.

New York announced Saturday it acquired safety Bradley McDougald, first- and third-round picks in the 2021 draft and a first-round pick in the 2022 draft for Adams and a fourth-round selection in the 2022 draft.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection requested a trade after discussions about a contract extension failed to advance ahead of the 2020 season.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas said Monday the blockbuster deal was made because of the Seahawks' substantial offer, not because Adams asked to get moved.

"Look, this is a business, and you don't take things personally," he told reporters. "... I can promise you, that didn't affect us with any of our decision-making over the past week. For us, I certainly don't think this is a precedent for a player to shoot his way out of town. I'm not concerned about that precedent."

Adams, a 2019 first-team All-Pro selection, would have represented at least a slight upgrade over Jaquiski Tartt at strong safety for the Niners. But perhaps understanding the high price associated with the former Jets standout, Lynch apparently opted against getting involved in the talks.

Instead, Adams will join the division-rival Seahawks to further bolster an already competitive NFC West race that could also see the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals emerge as contenders.

The first head-to-head meeting between San Francisco and Seattle during the 2020 season is scheduled for Nov. 1 during Week 8.