Reflecting on his first snap with the Lions, which resulted in Za’Darius Smith sacking Jordan Love, Jamal Adams described the moment as “huge to start off the season — not the season — but to start off the game like that.” His verbal slip is understandable. After spending a month at home and joining a new team, it felt like a fresh start for Adams, “like I restarted everything again.” He’s even wearing a different number, departing from the 33 he’s worn since he first put on pads.
“But hey, this is like a new chapter in my life, and I’m forever grateful for it,” Adams said Thursday. “Went to Tennessee, it didn’t work out, asked for my release, went home, trained, worked my tail off, and a couple weeks later I got the call, man. And no better organization than this.”
The Lions currently lead the NFC at 12-1, and Adams played a minor role in their 11th consecutive win last Thursday against the Packers. Just four days after arriving in Detroit, he was on the field for eight snaps. The former All-Pro safety is ready to contribute “wherever they ask me to play,” he said, “whatever they ask me to do.” Like nearly every player on the roster, Adams is chasing his first Super Bowl. His initiation into Aaron Glenn’s defense came fittingly on “one of those blitz calls” out of the slot.
“I didn’t think it was going to be the first play of the game,” Adams laughed. “Honestly, I should have kept (my rush) up higher just to force it a little bit more, but I’m glad Za’Darius made a play.”
At 29, Adams is expected to take on a larger role in the coming weeks as the Lions integrate him into their scheme. He’s not a safety in a defense that already features Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Instead, he’s more like a smaller version of Derrick Barnes—an overhang pass rusher who can also drop into coverage and defend the run. As Adams described his responsibilities, “the big nickel, coming in and playing that nickel position and doing my thing.”
The Lions could call on Adams again this Sunday as they prepare to face Josh Allen. While Adams remains on the practice squad, he’s likely to be activated against the Bills, especially with linebacker Trevor Nowaske sidelined due to a concussion.
As he chatted in the locker room on Thursday, Adams paused, thinking he was in front of a teammate’s stall. Adjusting to a new building has thrown him off at times, even making him do a double-take when he sees someone else’s number on his jersey during film sessions. Adams has No. 33 tattooed on his back—a tribute to his dad, who wore the number as a running back for the Giants and Patriots, and the number Adams himself has worn since he started playing football at the age of three.
Now he’s No. 25, as No. 33 belongs to rookie running back Sione Vaki, and the only other numbers available in Detroit were unappealing choices like 41 and 38.
“I’m getting used to it, sadly,” Adams said. “People are like, ‘What up, 2-5!’ or, ‘Let’s go, 2-5!’ and I have to remind myself, ‘Oh, they’re talking to me!’ It’s cool, though. At the end of the day, it’s just a number. I’m just grateful to be on the field with these guys and have this opportunity.”
“It’s a special group, obviously, and the record speaks for itself,” he added. “But even more than that, it’s the people in the organization. I’m fortunate to be part of it.”
During his time with the Seahawks, Adams developed a strong bond with former Lions safety Quandre Diggs. After both were released by Seattle in cap-saving moves, they ended up together on the Titans. Diggs, despite his tenure in Detroit ending bitterly under Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn, has always spoken highly of his time with the Lions. When Adams signed with Detroit earlier this month, Diggs was one of the first people he called.
“I hit him up and said, ‘Man, I’m going to the Lions!’ He thought it was an incredible opportunity and told me there are nothing but great people here,” Adams said. “I told him, ‘Man, I wish you could experience it with me.’ He was The Guy here, you know? He grew up here, got drafted here, and deserves to be around a winning culture. But he’s definitely happy for me.”
The Lions’ culture is genuine. Against the Packers, they used 21 defensive players to offset a wave of injuries—eight of whom weren’t on the team at the start of the season—and still held Green Bay under 300 yards of offense. The talent is just as real. Adams, once one of the league’s premier playmaking safeties, had high praise for the Lions’ secondary, including Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
“These guys are special,” Adams said. “Just being around them for the last week and a half, you can tell they’re smart, detailed, and love the game. They fly around and make plays—whether it’s Kerby getting picks or BB with big hits. They’re the best duo in the league, and I make sure to remind them of that. People see it, and they should always keep their confidence high.”
Branch’s ability to wreak havoc near the line of scrimmage reminds Adams of himself in his younger years. When asked if he saw similarities, Adams laughed. “I’m not trying to give myself credit—he’s himself,” he said. “But yeah, his instincts in the box and in coverage are special. Watching him move out there does remind me of when I was younger.”
“I told him when I got here, ‘Man, I’m a big fan.’ I love watching those guys work,” Adams added.
Diggs always spoke highly of Detroit’s fanbase. During his five seasons with the Lions, he saw firsthand how much the city craved a winner. After a game against Detroit in 2021, Diggs told then-rookie Penei Sewell, “Embrace the city—they’re gonna love you. I promise. I love that place.” Adams is learning the same lesson.
In less than two weeks, “my favorite thing about the city is the fanbase and the culture,” Adams said. “Everyone here has that hard-nosed, get-the-job-done mentality. Everyone wants to win. You can respect that coming in from the outside.”
Adams played on a couple of playoff teams in Seattle, in front of some of the loudest fans in the league. The 12th Man at Lumen Field creates the same edge for the Seahawks that Ford Field does for the Lions. Being back in that environment last Thursday night was electric.
“It felt amazing,” Adams said. “It felt like winning football again—like playoff football. The energy just felt right. Like, I’m supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be a part of this.”
