Report: Adams to argue he's a LB if Seahawks tag him in '22

Jamal Adams would challenge his designation as a safety, arguing that he's a linebacker, if the Seattle Seahawks franchise tag him in 2022, a source told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

Adams and the Seahawks have reached an impasse in extension talks, Florio reports, potentially opening the door for the club to tag him after the 2021 season.

The franchise tag represents a one-year tender worth no less than the average of a position's five greatest salaries. Historically, the top-paid linebackers have earned significantly more than the top-paid safeties.

Adams has started every game of his four-year career at safety, but the Seahawks played him closer to the line of scrimmage and often had him rush the passer last season. He finished the campaign with a team-high 9.5 sacks.

The 25-year-old began his career with the New York Jets, who traded him to Seattle last offseason after extension talks stalled and the relationship between player and team deteriorated.

Adams reported to 2021 training camp on time, but he's sat out Seahawks practices while waiting for a contract resolution.

Players have challenged their position upon receiving the tag in the past. However, such debates typically involve edge rushers who can be classified as defensive ends or outside linebackers, or defensive linemen who can be classified as ends or tackles.

Adams is slated to earn $9.86 million in the final year of his rookie deal. The Seahawks parted with two first-round picks and a third-round selection to get him from the Jets, making it highly unlikely they'd let him walk as a free agent.