49ers: Jamal Adams would welcome a trade to San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers were recently named as one of Jamal Adams’ preferred trade destinations.

The San Francisco 49ers could be in play for a massive trade-market splash with tensions rising over in the Big Apple. Could Jamal Adams be on his way to the Bay Area?

As first reported by ESPN’s Rich Cimini earlier on Thursday, the Jets’ superstar safety has reportedly requested a trade from the team. This comes following months of contract disputes between the organization and player.

And now it appears as though Adams officially wants out. That doesn’t mean that a trade will happen, but it’s far more likely than it ever has been before.

To this point, all we’ve heard regarding the 49ers involvement has been faint rumors that the team could be interested. But now we seem to have tangible proof that there is interest — at least from one party.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Adams has listed seven teams that he would accept a trade to and one of them happens to be the 49ers.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise given that all seven teams listed are Super Bowl contenders with a recent history of success. The 49ers, of course, came one quarter short of a Super Bowl title this past season and are arguably the NFC favorites to make it back again.

More from Golden Gate Sports

The interest is apparent on Adams’ side, but what about from the 49ers perspective?

Could the 49ers really make a trade for Jamal Adams work?

There’s no doubt that adding a player of Adams’ caliber — someone who is arguably the best safety in football — would be a massive boost to an already dominant 49ers defense.

The duo of Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt are solid with the former coming off a career year in 2019, but Adams would obviously be a huge improvement.

The biggest obstacle to overcome will be money.

San Francisco found themselves in a bit of a cap bind this offseason — one that essentially forced them to trade away star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. They already have a ton of players that they need to pay in the near future.

Not only did the team just ink Arik Armstead to a massive five-year, $85 million contract in the offseason, but they’ll need to pay superstar tight end George Kittle in the near future.

That’s not to mention linebacker Fred Warner‘s upcoming extension and a host of other players set to hit the open market next offseason.

Adams wants to be the highest-paid safety in the NFL and that contract could cost upwards to $17 million per season. Is that really a feasible number for the 49ers to pay?

Perhaps not, but it’s worth exploring regardless.

When an All-Pro player like Jamal Adams lists your team as a possible destination, you pick up the phone and listen.

dark. Next. 49ers: Why the team should consider a reunion with Colin Kaepernick

And that’s exactly what general manager John Lynch is likely to do.