Jets' Adams calls out teammates: 'I'm not here to be the savior'
Less than a week after joining the New York Jets, wideout Davante Adams felt the need to deliver an impassioned speech to his new teammates following their recent loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Obviously, there was a lack of energy and urgency out there. It was apparent," Adams said Wednesday when talking about the Jets' Week 7 loss, according to the New York Post's Brian Costello.
"I've played on teams that have that winning culture. Basically, I took a moment to let them know. I had reservations about speaking up too early and being too vocal too early, but in my mind, I said, 'F that' because we don't have time. I've got to do whatever I've got to do to help this team move forward."
There were lofty expectations that Adams could immediately boost New York's offense after the club acquired him in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams caught three of his nine targets for 30 yards in his Jets debut last weekend. The All-Pro wideout said he wishes he could've produced more in his first game with New York but insisted the team brought him to help change its "culture more than anything."
"I'm not here to be the savior," Adams said.
He added that his postgame speech received positive feedback from the team and pointed out that "it's on everybody" in the organization to change the Jets' fortunes.
"I thought it was the realest speech I've ever heard in a locker room in 20 years," Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.
Adams noted that New York's sideline looked lifeless after teammate Breece Hall recorded a 57-yard reception. The six-time Pro Bowler added that most Jets players have never suited up for a winning team or experienced the urgency to become a good club.
Adams brings plenty of experience to New York, with the 31-year-old playing for a postseason team in six of his 10 NFL campaigns. The Jets haven't made a playoff appearance since the 2010 season.
New York hasn't seen an uptick in wins despite acquiring Rodgers and several other prized additions over the past two seasons. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is 0-2 after the Jets fired Robert Saleh following a 2-3 start in his fourth season on the club's sideline.
The Jets are (2-5) amid a four-game losing streak ahead of Sunday's matchup against the New England Patriots.