CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns can forget about all of that advance work they did on Jets All-Pro defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams over the bye week.
The 1-7 Jets held a fire sale on Tuesday — at least on the defensive side of the ball — and traded away their two best defenders before the 4 p.m. trade deadline.
They dealt Gardner, the two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback, to the Colts for first round picks in 2026 and 2027. The Jets also got former second-round receiver Adonai Mitchell in the deal.
The blockbuster trade rocked the NFL world hours before the deadline. But the Jets weren’t done yet. Not long after, they shipped 2022 first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys for another big haul: a second-rounder in 2026 and a first-rounder in 2027. The Jets also received defensive tackle Maxi Smith in the exchange.
Despite pre-draft speculation that the Browns might be interested in trading for Jets Pro Bowl receiver Garrett Wilson, the former Buckeye, the Jets weren’t interested in moving their offensive players. Wilson, who’s produced a 1,000-yard season every year, signed a four-year extension in July worth $130 million, including $90 million guaranteed. The Browns inquired about Wilson, but the Jets weren’t budging.
Before the trades, the Jets had the No. 11 pass defense in terms of yards allowed. Gardner is currently ranked No. 25 among qualifying cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. For comparison’s sake, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is ranked No. 103, and Tyson Campbell is No. 54. Gardner broke up six passes this season and made 20 tackles.
The absence of the two defensive stars will make rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s job easier as he tries to improve to 2-3 on Sunday and perhaps quiet some of the cries for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, who sat out Monday’s practice with his back injury.
The Jets’ sell-off leaves them with two first-round pick in 2026 and three first-round picks in 2027 as they attempt to rebuild their roster. It also means they can maneuver in the 2026 draft to get their top choice at quarterback.
They’re currently picking at No. 3, behind the 1-8 Titans and 1-8 Saints. The 2-6 Browns, who also have two first-round picks, are at No. 6, behind also the No. 4 Dolphins (2-7) and No. 5 Giants (2-7).
Of the teams ahead of the Browns, the Titans drafted quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 overall in 2025, and the Giants drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart No. 25 overall.
The Jets haven’t said yet if Justin Fields or former Browns QB Tyrod Taylor will start on Sunday, but the No. 20 overall defense isn’t what it was even yesterday.
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