The New York Jets have fully embraced a rebuilding phase after they let go of several star players at the NFL trade deadline.
While it’s clear that the Jets have little chance of winning the Super Bowl this season, their moves may have also impacted the Patriots’ chances of winning the Super Bowl.
New England didn’t make any acquisitions before the trade deadline, and one reason for this was the Jets’ reluctance to engage in trades with AFC East teams. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, AFC East [franchises reached out](https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1985815772640235574) to the Jets to discuss potential deals, but sources indicate that New York was hesitant to trade with its division rivals.
The Patriots needed running back help, and Jets running back Breece Hall, who is in the final year of his contract, could have been an excellent fit for them. However, with New York unwilling to engage in any trades with New England, the Patriots could have only acquired him through a significant deal that the Jets wouldn’t be able to refuse.
The Jets didn’t just hurt the Patriots by not trading with them, but they also traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.
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The Colts currently hold a 7-2 record, and if the Patriots want to reach the Super Bowl, they’ll likely need to get past them. With Indianapolis adding Gardner, its defense should improve significantly, which could pose a challenge for quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots’ receiving corps.
It seems unlikely that the Jets will be hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season, and they worked hard to prevent their rivals from getting their hands on it as well.
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Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images