What Does Jamal Adams’ 4-Year, $70M Extension Mean for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers?

The Seattle Seahawks and star safety Jamal Adams agreed to terms on a four-year, $70 million contract extension on Tuesday. Adams is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history by a considerable margin.

Seahawks, Jamal Adams agree to four-year, $70 million deal. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/oseWEP7vvG

— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2021

While Adams’ new deal may appear insignificant to Steelers fans at first glance, it does provide insight into what Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick could command once he and the organization seriously enter extension talks.

Both may play safety, but Fitzpatrick and Adams’ roles on their respective defenses are vastly different.

While Minkah has been one of the best ball hawk centerfielders in football since joining the Steelers, Adams has been dominant, punishing presence in the box for the Seahawks.

Adams has totaled 356 tackles, 39 tackles-for-loss, 21.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two picks over his four seasons with the New York Jets and Seattle. His 9.5 sacks last season are an NFL record for a safety.

Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, has recorded 228 combined tackles, eleven interceptions and four defensive touchdowns in just three seasons.

Adams has the edge in Pro Bowl nods with three. Fitzpatrick has double the amount of First-Team All-Pro selections as Adams with two.

Given his stellar play and the Steelers’ abundance of cap space beyond this season, there is a legitimate chance Fitzpatrick usurps Adams as the league’s highest-paid safety within the next calendar year.