Tony Adams

PRO: The Titans signed Tony Adams during the 2026 free agency period to add experience and physicality to the secondary. The 5-foot-11-inch, 203-pound safety saw action in 53 games with 36 starts in his first four NFL seasons while playing for the New York Jets. The Illinois product is a sure tackler in space and an elite communicator in the defensive backfield. Prior to his arrival with the Titans, Adams posted 227 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, 16 passes defensed, four interceptions, 12 quarterback pressures, and five tackles on special teams.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  
• After making the Jets roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022, Adams became a regular starter in his second year, logging 15 starts at safety in 2023. He was one of six safeties with at least 80 tackles, three interceptions and five quarterback pressures during that season.

TITANS TIDBITS:  
• Adams credits his mother for helping him develop a strong work ethic and mindset. "For my mother, ambition, hard work, and if you really want something – you have to go and get it," said Adams. "I see my mother work really hard. I'd seen her work late nights, sometimes overnight, and she'd always tell me if you want something in this world – you have to go get it."
• Adams' favorite game from his college career was a win over Wisconsin on Illinois' homecoming in 2019. Adams' interception late in the fourth quarter set up the Fighting Illini's final drive to take the lead. A game-winning field goal on the ensuing possession as time expired gave Illnois the 24-23 victory over the sixth-ranked Badgers, the school's first win over a ranked opponent since 2011.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:  
• The Belleville, Ill., native was signed by the N.Y. Jets as a rookie free agent on May 6, 2022.
• Signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent on March 17, 2026.

SEASON RECAPS:

2025 (12/9 - N.Y. Jets):  Appeared in 12 games with nine starts at safety and logged 48 tackles, three stops for loss, a sack and five passes defensed. Was inactive for two contests. Placed on injured reserve on Dec. 18 and missed the final three games of the season.
• Against Dallas (10/5), started at safety and recorded five tackles, a stop for loss and a pass defensed.
• Against Cleveland (11/9), led the team with a season-high nine tackles. Added a stop for loss and a pass defensed.
• Against Atlanta (11/30), recorded five tackles including a stop for loss. Added his first sack of the season, flying into the pocket to bring down Kirk Cousins for a loss of eight yards on third-and-six.

2024 (15/11 - N.Y. Jets):  Played in 15 games with 11 starts at safety.  Registered 82 tackles (tying his career-high), two stops for loss, a sack, an interception, five quarterback pressures and a career-best six passes defensed. Helped the Jets finish third in total defense (313.8 yards allowed per game). Was one of six safeties to log at least 82 tackles, an interception, a sack, six passes defensed and five quarterback pressures. Was inactive for two games.
• At San Francisco (9/9), opened the season by leading the team with a season-high 12 tackles against the 49ers. Sacked Brock Purdy and added a pass defensed. He was the only player in the NFL to record 12 tackles, a sack and a pass defensed in Week 1 and it marked one of seven such performances during the 2024 season.
• At Tennessee (9/15), notched three tackles and tied a career-high with two passes defensed. His second pass breakup was on fourth down in the final stanza to secure the Jets victory.
• Against L.A. Rams (12/22), nabbed his first interception of the season, picking off a Matthew Stafford pass in the second quarter. Added five tackles.

2023 (15/15 - N.Y. Jets): Started at safety in 15 games while establishing career-highs with 82 tackles, six tackles for loss and three interceptions. Adams joined Mike Hilton as the only undrafted playes with at least five tackles for loss on rush plays in 2023. Was inactive for two contests. 
• Against Philadelphia (10/15), intercepted a Jalen Hurts pass and returned it 45 yards to set up the Jets' offense to score the game-winning touchdown. Also credited with seven tackles and a stop for loss.
• At N.Y. Giants (10/29), recorded a season-high 10 tackles, including a stop for loss in the win.
• Against Washington (12/24), nabbed his second interception of the season, picking off a deflected pass on the second play of the game from scrimmage. He also made five tackles in the Jets' victory.
• At New England (1/7), recorded a season-high two passes defensed, including his third interception of the year to mark a career-high for a season. Added two tackles.

2022 (11/1 - N.Y. Jets): Saw action in 11 games as a rookie after making the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. Made his NFL debut against Baltimore (9/11) and made his first start at Miami (1/8). Also contributed heavily on special teams. Registered 15 tackles and two special teams tackles. Was inactive for six contests. 
• Against Baltimore (9/11), made his NFL debut, playing primarily as a reserve on special teams.
• At Miami (1/8), logged his first career start and registered six tackles.

COLLEGE: 
• Played in 41 games with 36 starts in five seasons at Illinois (2017-21) and collected 204 tackles, 11 stops for loss, three sacks, 11 passes defensed and six interceptions. Began his career as a cornerback before logging starts at safety and as a hybrid defensive back as an upperclassmen.
• As a graduate (2021), started 11 of the 12 games he appeared in and ranked third on the team with 63 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, five passes defensed and an interception.
• As a senior (2020), started all six games he played and totaled 51 tackles and a pass defensed.
• As a junior (2019), started 10 games and logged 39 tackles, three stops for loss and two interceptions. Against No. 6 Wisconsin, nabbed an interception with 2:32 left to set up the game-winning field goal as time expired. It was Illinois' first win over a ranked opponent since 2011.
• As a sophomore (2018), recorded seven starts (five at safety, two at cornerback) in eight games played. Finished with 43 tackles, 3.5 stops for loss, a sack, four pass breakups and an interception. Also notched a pick-six at Purdue for his first career touchdown. Named Academic All-Big Ten.
• As a freshman (2017), played in five games with two starts at cornerback and recorded eight tackles, a stop for loss, a sack and an interception.
• Graduated from Illinois with a bachelor's degree in political science in Dec. 2020.

PERSONAL:  
• Attended St. Louis University (Mo.) High School and was a three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Rivals, ESPN and Scout.
• Played wide receiver and defensive back for coach Gary Kornfeld and was ranked the No. 6 overall recruit in the state of Missouri.
• Follow Adams on X at @Iwill_suceed20.
• Born Tony Adams Jr. on Jan. 24, 1999 in Belleville, Ill.