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The door to the AFC East was supposed to be wide open for the first time in two decades. The Buffalo Bills were even favored to win it. The Jets seemed to have a legitimate shot, too. And everyone was delighting in the prospect of the Patriots having to suffer through a rebuilding.

"We should've known better," said one scout for an AFC team. "Bill always has something up his sleeve."

Just when it looked like the AFC East was wide open, Bill Belichick made a big move to fill the biggest hole on his New England Patriots roster. 

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former NFL MVP and three-time Pro Bowl QB Cam Newton has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The deal is highly incentive based, as Newton will make his own destiny depending on his production. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the deal being worth up to $7.5 million 

It was surprising to many that Newton, a very accomplished quarterback despite his injury history, didn't have a home this offseason. But the Patriots had an obvious hole with Tom Brady leaving New England to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though Jarrett Stidham has been in the Pats' system for a season after getting drafted last year, Newton has to be the favorite to win the job. 

Offensive lineman Cameron Clark has become the third member of the Jets' 2020 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.

The team announced Clark's signing on Saturday evening.

The 6-foot-4, 308-pound offensive tackle from Charlotte was the Gang Green's third selection of the fourth round, behind running back La'Michal Perine and quarterback James Morgan. He was also the second tackle taken by the Jets, after Mekhi Becton went 11th overall. 

Clark exclusively played at left tackle for the 49ers in college, though he could potentially play tackle or guard for the Jets, making him at the very least a solid swing lineman to bring some depth to what should be a much-improved group in 2020.

Odds with a + in front show how much money would be won on a $100 bet. Odds with a - in front show how much money someone would have to wager to win $100.

Jamal Adams has made it clear that it might be time for him to move on from the Jets if he and the team can't agree to a new contract in the near future.

So if Adams is traded to one of the eight teams on his list, which of them would make the most sense?

The FNNY crew discusses in the video above, and you can voice your opinion in the poll below. 

Jets head coach Adam Gase spoke with reporters on Friday over a video call, and unsurprisingly, the Jamal Adams contract situation was a hot topic.

As he looks for a new contract - one that he reportedly hopes would put him among the highest paid defenders in the NFL - Adams has requested to be traded after growing impatient with the Jets. The Pro Bowl safety is under contract through the 2021 season, but he doesn't want to wait around for a new deal.

Gase addressed the issue on Friday, and while he didn't go into specifics, he did say that going through a contract dispute like this one is "the tough part of the business," while saying "Yes, I want Jamal on our team."

"I think that any discussions that have to do with anything with those kinds of topics, those are the things that we're going to keep internally," said Gase. "He's been one of our best players and most consistent guys that we had last year. I covered a lot of this at the end of the season, about the value that he brings to this team and what he does on not only gameday, but during practice. This is the tough part of the business. It's something that we've got to keep working through."

The FNNY crew looks at the odds on teams that could trade for Jamal Adams, and debates what the Jets should do with their disgruntled star.

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The heat will be on the entire Jets franchise as when they begin their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but a few of them will feel it a little more than the others. So SNY made a list of the 5 Jets who'll be under the most pressure this season.

No. 5 was running back Le'Veon Bell. No. 4 was defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. No. 3 was safety Jamal Adams. No. 2 was head coach Adam Gase.

After a recent report claimed that the "prevailing sentiment" in the Jets' locker room was that players don't respect Adam Gase, guard Alex Lewis has come to the head coach's defense.

The Daily News reported on Wednesday that Gase is a 'major factor' in why safety Jamal Adams feels uncomfortable about his long-term future in New York, and Lewis took exception, posting a message on Instagram.

"I have mad respect for Coach Gase," Lewis said. "We have phenomenal personnel in the building, on both offense and defense. We are building a winning culture and mentality from the top down. I believe in this staff, this organization, and most importantly my teammates. I realize everyone has a job to do, our jobs are multifaceted. In the locker room, training room, weight room, meeting room and on the field we are building a winning culture. I felt like all of this needed to be said ... I am proud to be a New York Jet. . . ."

It's something that Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has seen before: a disgruntled player in a disagreement over his contract situation. 

But has it ever been Williams' best player on defense? 

Jamal Adams has been extremely public about his desire for a trade out of New York, enough so that he was tweeting at his fellow safety Marcus Maye like he already had his bags packed. The Jets, however, are reportedly going to stand pat and see how this all plays out. Adams still has two years left on his rookie deal (granted the Jets pick up the fifth-year option), and they could even tag him for two more years after that. 

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

The heat will be on the entire Jets franchise as when they begin their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but a few of them will feel it a little more than the others. So SNY made a list of the 5 Jets who'll be under the most pressure this season.

No. 5 was running back Le'Veon Bell. No. 4 was defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. No. 3 was safety Jamal Adams.

Jets DL Quinnen Williams was originally scheduled to appear in court on March 25 for his March 6 criminal weapon possession arrest, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed that date back.

Now, Williams has a new court date set for July 23, per the Queens Criminal Court system.

Williams, 22, was arrested at a LaGuardia Airport check-in counter prior to security at around 9:00 p.m. on March 5 while trying to board a flight while carrying a pistol. Williams has a permit for the weapon in Alabama, but not in New York.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

The heat will be on the entire Jets franchise when they begin their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but a few of them will feel it a little more than the others. So SNY made a list of the five Jets who'll be under the most pressure this season.

No. 5 was running back Le'Veon Bell. No. 4 was defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

The countdown continues with No. 3 … 

Odds with a + in front show how much money would be won on a $100 bet. Odds with a - in front show how much money someone would have to wager to win $100.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, both the Jets and Dolphins have their over/under win totals for the 2020 season set at 6.5, with the Jets being +100 to go over and the Dolphins over set at +118.

But which team has the better core in place and the brighter future?

Check out the full video above as SNY's Jeane Coakley and Chris Williamson give their thoughts, and cast your own vote in the poll below.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

The heat will be on the entire Jets franchise as they begin their quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010, but a few of them will feel it a little more than the others. So SNY made a list of the five Jets who'll be under the most pressure this season.

No. 5 was running back Le'Veon Bell. The countdown continues with No. 4 … 

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams 

The Jets would have to go back to 2010, Rex Ryan's second season, to find a coach who had done a better job for them than Gregg Williams, their controversial, 61-year-old defensive coordinator. And to be fair, it's almost impossible to find a coach in their history who has ever done more with less.

Just one day after video surfaced of Jamal Adams saying he's "trying" to get to Dallas to play for the Cowboys, he's on Twitter to once again show everyone that his days as a Jet are over. At least in his head. 

Adams responded to a tweet by his closest teammate in FS Marcus Maye that read, "I been getting all this new fake love now!!! Smh," and it sounded a lot like a goodbye text. Take a look for yourself...

CLICK BELOW TO SEE

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The promise of winning is an old one for the Jets, and one they never seem to fulfill. The franchise is starving for success. So is the fan base. They are all wounded from no playoff berths in the last nine seasons.

There should be optimism with a new GM, a coach heading into his second season, and a supposed franchise quarterback heading into his third. All of it makes this feel in some ways like a fresh start. But it's understandable that fans are wary. They are used to rebuilds and restarts that rarely seem to work as expected.

With the world knowing that Jamal Adams wants the Jets to trade him, running into fans will normally bring the topic up. And that's exactly what happened in Texas on Sunday.

A fan video posted to Twitter shows someone who looks and sounds like Adams, as he was driving through a shopping center. The fan asks him if he's coming to Dallas to play for the Cowboys.

Adams' answer?

Jets GM Joe Douglas set out to drastically upgrade his roster this offseason in hopes that it could contend for a playoff berth by the end of the 2020 regular season. 

Moves can still be made -- the Jamal Adams situation and some extra cap space to use makes that the case -- but for the most part the field is basically set for training camp. Big, positive changes were made but Douglas couldn't fix every hole on the roster. 

That's why the Jets will need to cross their fingers and pray some things just work out for the best. 

See how Jets nose tackle Steve McLendon uses his gym to help teach his children, and why he says that being a dad is his most important role.

NFLPA medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer has recommended that all players refrain from practicing together in private workouts due to recent upticks in coronavirus cases.

In a message to all players that was also tweeted out, Dr. Mayer writes:

Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in Covid-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months.

We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences. 

Jamal Adams' contract dispute has quickly become the exact distraction the Jets had hoped to avoid.

General manager Joe Douglas has made it clear time and time again that his stance on Adams is unchanged: He wants to make the star safety a "Jet for life."

Adams seems to be motivated to leave, however, as he once again posted on social media, replying to an Instagram post by saying "It's time to move on. Let it go ... No hard feelings."

So what exactly would it take to keep Adams in the Jets' secondary for years to come?

Odds with a + in front show how much money would be won on a $100 bet. Odds with a - in front show how much money someone would have to wager to win $100.

Jets safety Jamal Adams, searching for a new contract, has officially request a traded from Gang Green.

The Jets have said all along that they have no intention of trading him, but might they entertain a trade before the situation gets uglier?

The NFL is observing Juneteenth as a league holiday, closing its offices as its clubs do the same.

"This year, as we work together as a family and in our communities to combat the racial injustices that remain deeply rooted into the fabric of our society, the NFL will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 19th as a recognized holiday and our league offices will be closed," commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a league-wide memo last Friday. "It is a day to reflect on our past, but more importantly, consider how each one of us can continue to show up and band together to work toward a better future."

Meanwhile, Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley took to social media to say that he is "Happy to celebrate my birthday on a real holiday!"

The Jets have agreed to terms with a second member of their 2020 NFL Draft class, as Gang Green agreed to a rookie deal with wide receiver Denzel Mims, SNY Insider Ralph Vacchiano confirms.

Mims, the Baylor product selected with the 59th overall pick, agreed to a four-year, $5.5 million deal with $3 million guaranteed, the typical rookie contract numbers for where he was drafted.

Mims joins fifth-round pick Bryce Hall as the first two members of the Jets' 2020 NFL Draft class to sign, while seven others remain without a deal, including first-round pick Mekhi Becton. 

The FNNY crew looks at the future of star safety Jamal Adams with the Jets, and also explores the protocols the NFL is putting into place to hopefully play a 2020 season.

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Jamal Adams wants to be traded, and he's reportedly even given the Jets a list of eight teams he considers preferred destinations. Not that it matters, of course. If the Jets decide they want to trade him, Adams doesn't get a say in where.

But let's play along. Just for a moment, pretend the Jets did intend to trade Adams (they don't) and that they're willing to consider where he wants to play (they won't). Do any of Adams' eight favorite teams make any sense and can any of them actually afford to meet his exorbitant contract demands?

Let's take a look...

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The Jets have always intended to give Jamal Adams the lucrative contract extension he so desperately wants. They just don't want to do it right now. And they hoped -- naively -- that their vocal team leader would be a little patient.

Clearly, though, patience isn't part of Adams' plan.

Star safety Jamal Adams, who has not been attending the team's voluntary virtual offseason program, requested a trade from the Jets on Thursday, SNY Insider Ralph Vacchiano confirms.

Adams said earlier on Thursday that it may be "time to move on" from the team in responding to a comment on Instagram.

"I deserve to be paid but when i ask to be taking (sic) care of I'm 'BEING THAT GUY' huh? What does Pat have to do with me? Pat is about to get 40 to 60 M's a year. Well deserved. That's my guy. But don't compare me to QB's if you aren't paying me QB money. S--t, if I was about to get 40 plus u wouldn't hear a damn word from me. Lol fr fr. Don't use the pandemic excuse. CM22 got paid not too long ago. Well deserved. Great friend of mine. You're lost my guy. Ima protect myself just like an organization will look out for themselves at the end of the day. & if you guys don't respect that, cool. It's all luv. Maybe it's time to move on! Can't trick a WIZARD! Luv"

Vacchiano reported on May 22 that the Jets have no intention of trading Adams despite the latest impasse in contract negotiations, with their focus instead on eventually signing him to an extension.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who has been part of a group advising President Donald Trump amid the coronavirus pandemic, said Wednesday that it's "very hard" to see how the NFL will be able to proceed this fall.

"Unless players are essentially in a bubble, insulated from the community and they're tested nearly every day, it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall," Fauci told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta. "If there is a second-wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year."

Fauci also recently discussed the situation regarding the potential return of MLB, suggesting that it would be in the best interest of the league to not play into October if possible in order to avoid a potential second-wave.

Training for the 2020 NFL season at UCLA, Jets QB Sam Darnold fired to the back of the end zone into the trusty hands of Giants RB Saquon Barkley.

Yes, Saquon Barkley.

In the clip below, Barkley shakes his "defender" before corralling the pass from Darnold.