The New York Jets are in a free fall after losing five straight games to start their season.
After the Jets’ 34-32 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, things looked good for the team. Since then, everything has gone wrong for New York. Quarterback Justin Fields was injured early on in Week 2, missing practically two full games, and the defense is allowing 31.4 points per game, the second most in the league.
With only three games remaining before the trade deadline, ESPN’s Rich Cimini proposed that the Jets make a blockbuster deal, trading away three-time Pro Bowler Quinnen William as the team continues its downward spiral.
“Yes, this would be an absolute stunner,” Cimini wrote Saturday. “Williams is arguably their best overall player, still in the prime of his career (turns 28 in December), and he’s under team control for two more years after signing a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023.
“That said, he’d bring back at least a first-round pick. We know Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones thinks highly of him. Extra draft capital could help position the Jets for a quarterback in the 2026 draft if they don’t feel Justin Fields is the long-term answer. This probably will be an offseason storyline, especially if Williams — frustrated by seven years of losing — decides to push the issue.”
Across five games, Williams has 20 total tackles, with one sack and two forced fumbles. The former first-round pick is playing some of the best football of his career, but even still the Jets’ defense is not performing well. Though it would be hard to imagine New York would trade the 26-year-old Pro Bowler, a blockbuster deal like that would net the Jets a massive return.
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