Amid a dismal 1-7 season, the New York Jets pulled off several major deals before the NFL trade deadline hit, sending two of their star defensive players elsewhere. In one significant trade, three-time Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
In acquiring Williams to improve their defensive issues, Dallas traded defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets, as well as a second-round pick in next year's draft and a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Another blockbuster deal sent Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, a team considered a potential Super Bowl contender this season. In exchange, New York received wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks; one in the 2026 NFL Draft and another in 2027.
Gardner was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Jets since the team drafted him fourth overall in 2022. His teammate and friend, Jermaine Johnson II, seemed upset about losing both Gardner and Williams, and shared a message about the team’s situation moving forward.
“I'd be lying if I said I was happy my brothers are gone because I'm not, I'm sick. But, I believe strongly in the organization, staff and my other brothers in the locker room,” Johnson wrote in part of his X message.
“I said when I got drafted I wanted to be the reason or part of the reason this thing gets changed for the better and that's going to continue to be my outlook. I love this team and this fan base and y'all will continue to get my all, my absolute best on and off the field,” he said.
“Let's look onward and upward because better things are coming and I give my word on that. Go Jets always,” Johnson said, including a green heart emoji.
The Gardner trade was shocking for many, since he signed a $120.4 million extension with the Jets last season. Additionally, it sent one of the league's top 10 corners in coverage to a contender. For Gardner, it put him in what appears to be a much better situation than he was in, with a legit shot at a playoff run.
In their grades report, ESPN gave both trades an “A” grade for the Jets. The Williams-to-Dallas trade brought an "F" for the Cowboys. They called out the Cowboys losing draft assets for a 28-year-old defensive tackle during a contract-heavy season, especially when Dallas has a very slim chance of making the postseason.
Meanwhile, they contended that the Jets acquired a considerable amount of assets in return for Gardner after signing him to that hefty extension. With the team’s rebuild in sight, they achieved an impressive set of trades to position themselves for the future.
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