Tony Adams (safety)

Tony Adams is an American professional football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent in.

College career

Adams played at Illinois from 2017 to 2021. On October 26, 2019, against Purdue, he had a 13-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Adams signed with the New York Jets on April 30, 2022, following the 2022 NFL draft. He made the Jets' 53 man roster following roster cuts. As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games and made one start, which came in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
On October 15, 2023, in the Jets’ Week 6 game versus the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, Adams intercepted Jalen Hurts with 2 minutes left in the game and returned it 45 yards to the Eagles’ 8 yard line. The Jets scored a touchdown one play later and won the game, 20–14. This was the first win by the Jets against the Eagles. In a November 19, 2023, game against the Buffalo Bills, Adams suffered a left hand injury in the first quarter and did not return to the game. In the 2023 season, he appeared in and started 15 games. He finished with 82 total tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended.
On April 4, 2025, Adams signed an RFA tender with the Jets. He operated as a starting safety during the year, recording 49 tackles, one sack, and five pass deflections through 12 games. After suffering a groin injury in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Adams was placed on season-ending injured reserve on December 18.