Since the day the Jets drafted him, Jamal Adams has been nothing short of a leader and alpha dog in the locker room.

Adams had a milestone day against the Patriots Sunday, picking off a Jarrett Stidham pass and returning it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the safety’s first career touchdown, though it came during garbage time of a 30-14 loss.

Instead of relishing the personal achievement, Adams took no solace in the pick-six. Instead, his leadership instincts kicked in and once again. Adams, as he has done throughout his young career, insisted on taking it upon himself to keep the Jets together after dropping to 0-3 on Sunday.

“We’re going to stick together,” Adams told reporters after the game. “I’m not worried [about that]. I got it. We’ll be fine.”

Despite being visibly dejected following the loss and upset with how New York’s season has played out so far, Adams is putting his emotions in check for the greater good of the team. Things are not all roses at One Jets Drive right now, but Adams is going to do whatever it takes to keep his squad together regardless of whether the team is winning or losing.

Without their leader, the Jets would be in a tough spot with the schedule only getting tougher after the Week 4 bye. Despite all of the outside criticism, Adams is not one to quit on his team when the going gets tough. As the emotional leader of a struggling team, Adams knows how crucial his leadership is at this juncture. If the Jets go flat and check out, there’s no chance they turn it around this season.

It’s going to take a lot of work, but Adams is going to do all he can to ensure New York gets off the ground and takes flight at some point in 2019.