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Davante Adams confirms he would '100%' play for Mike Tomlin: 'I've had nothing but respect for him'

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•about 11 hours•

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New York Jets WR Davante Adams and Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin
Photo of Davante Adams: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images; Photo of Mike Tomlin: © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

As the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready for the offseason, Mike Tomlin promised changes. One of the big questions, though, will be at quarterback as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields prepare for free agency.

But depending on what happens in New York, a big playmaker could also hit the open market as Davante Adams weighs his next steps. In fact, when asked about what coach he’d like to play for, he told Kay Adams Tomlin would “100%” be one of them.”

Adams noted the respect he has for Tomlin and how he relates to his players. Adams saw it first-hand, too, during his time with the Raiders.

“Oh, 100%. I love Mike,” Adams said on Up and Adams. “I think anytime you have a coach that’s a players’ coach and you can tell that they’ve got a way with their guys, those types of coaches – whether they coach me or not – they always win me over. I’ve had nothing but respect for him, and it’s been mutual. He talked to me during some games.

“I remember last year, 2023, they came to our place in Vegas and we played them. I think Joey Porter had made a play on the sideline or something on me, and he got up barking and screaming and hollering in my face a little bit, and I just kind of looked at him. And then, I looked over at Mike Tomlin and he comes running, flying over to me. He’s like, ‘Hey, man, he’s young, he’s young. Just let him live. Let him live.’ Just having somebody like that that’s like, ‘Look, I know my guy made a play and I know he was a little out of line,’ but still be personable enough to joke with me in that moment about that. That says a lot about him, too. Obviously, a great coach, but he’s a hell of a dude, too.”

Davante Adams’ contract situation is an interesting one to monitor this offseason. He’s due to make $35.64 million each of the next two years, but he has plenty of leverage because of his age, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. According to Spotrac, the Jets would take a $8.36 million dead cap hit if they release him before June 1, and that number drops to $2.09 million with a post-June 1 designation.