https://www.vikings.com/news/jamal-adams-versatility-2026-training-camp

Jamal Adams Showing Versatility with Vikings

EAGAN, Minn. — Jamal Adams just feels more at home wearing a jersey number in the 30s.

He looked quite comfortable in the secondary, as well, lining up at safety for Vikings Training Camp practices Friday and Saturday.

Adams, who signed with Minnesota on July 28, initially was assigned jersey No. 54 and was listed as a linebacker, where he played all last season with the Raiders. But as he strolled Thursday from the team hotel to TCO Performance Center for treatment, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell was pulling out of the facility and rolled down his window.

"He was leaving and he told me, 'See you tomorrow, 3-2.' And I was like, 'OK, cool,' " Adams told Twin Cities media members. "I just ran with it, came in the next day, and 32 was my number. It was definitely a better feeling."

(Editor's note: OLB Chaz Chambliss previously wore 32 and has since moved to 57, which he wore as a rookie.)

Adams offers the Vikings position versatility in Brian Flores' defense, and he anticipates still being used both at linebacker and safety. Getting reps at the latter spot again feels good, though, and it has helped with Minnesota's depth. Jay Ward did not practice the past two days. Jakobe Thomas also did not participate in team drills either day.

"I was telling some people inside the training room, just to have somebody believe in me again, and to know I can go back there and play the safety position, it feels great," Adams said. "I can kind of do it all in the back end. I just want to be versatile and do anything I can to help the team.

"The key is winning," he added. "So whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do. That's what I'm here for."

Adams is enjoying playing for Flores, whom he noted is "all about detailed work, and that's what I'm about."

"Just [tag-teaming] with him, the sky's the limit," Adams grinned.

At 30 years old, he's the oldest player currently in Minnesota's defensive backs room. He may take a little ribbing from the younger guys, but Adams is proud to be an example of NFL longevity.

"I'm officially 'O.G.' They call me 'O.G.' and 'Unc,' " he quipped. "It's pretty cool to see younger guys develop in this game. And hopefully one day they can be going into Year 10 to give back to the younger generation. Anything that I can give to them, any free game on and off the field, that's what I'm here for."

As it turns out, Joshua Metellus has been learning from Adams' game long before they shared a locker room.

Metellus, a sixth-round draft pick in 2020 by Minnesota, has admired the 2017 first-round selection from afar for multiple years.

"I kid you not, I used to go into class (at Michigan) — sorry, Mom — I used to go into class and sit at the top of the auditorium, open my laptop," Metellus explained, "and I'd have Steph Curry highlights from the night before, and then after I finished that, I'd just watch Jamal Adams.

"That's a guy I try to emulate my game after," he continued. "I used to watch endless hours of him making plays. … And now to watch a guy who was on the couch a couple weeks ago, he comes in and puts on 54 and is just running through people's faces. He didn't know where the coverage is, what gap to play, he's just playing fast and showing why he's been in the league for so long."

Metellus is continuing to pick Adams' brain and glean all he can from someone who's played in multiple defensive schemes and experienced some high highs and low lows throughout his career.

He's also offering leadership as Adams learns the Vikings system.

"There's things he'll tell me, things he just sees a little better than I do that I'm able to put into my game and vice versa," Metellus said. "I'm letting him know, 'All right, this is why we [do this]. Stand next to me, I'm gonna let you know exactly how I see it, so when you go out there and start moving around, you see things exactly how we see them."

Whether it's linebacker, safety or even taking a handful of special teams reps for the first time in his career, Adams isn't taking anything for granted.

He's just here to play ball.

"When I got hurt in '22, and then … those two or three years, I felt like I lost a little bit off my career. So for me, it's like a rebirth," Adams said. "There was a lot of adversity I went through, and I knew eventually I was going to make it out of that hole, but it was going to take time — and it took longer than I expected. But mentally and physically, I had to rebrand myself, be better on and off the field as far as my mentals and how I approached the game.

"I have a different perspective," he added. "It's a different perspective on not only football but just life. Just being grateful and being happy where I am. Being where my feet are and just embracing the opportunity."