As the New York Jets descend upon the 2025 NFL Draft, the three-year anniversary of an iconic first round is quickly approaching. With three picks, the Jets took corner Sauce Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, building the foundation for the next good Jets team.
For so many, it seems like that team may never come, but head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will be tasked with rebuilding from the rubble of a disastrous 2024 campaign, amplifying its stars and replenishing the middle of the roster with talent that fits their collective vision.
That process started by releasing Aaron Rodgers, the first sign that Glenn and Mougey will make New York football different, no matter the results. Depending on how quickly they envision the rebuild taking place, that could render those aforementioned stars – now eligible for extensions – expendable.
No trade should be considered likely at this point, that's just the nature of the sport. The new administration touted winning as an immediate priority, and while actions speak louder than words from upper management, it's clear offloading a star doesn't bring them closer to that goal.
One blockbuster trade proposal from The Viking Age sent Jets star Sauce Gardner across conference lines to the Minnesota Vikings.
"The Minnesota Vikings could make a huge splash in the secondary, and they do need a legitimate, shut-down CB1 on this defense," Lou Scataglia wrote. "Well, we all know that Sauce Gardner is quite talented and is a top-3 CB in the NFL. Gardner was drafted by former Jets GM Joe Douglas, who is obviously not with the team anymore.
"New GM Darren Mougey might feel more comfortable stocking up on NFL Draft picks to rebuild this Jets roster the way he sees fit rather than paying Gardner an amount at or above $30 million per year. New York might not be in a position to be throwing a ton of money at a CB, as they have QB questions and some questions remaining along the offensive line that need answered."
Related: Jets Fortify Trenches in Three-Round Mock
New York has a handful of needs, and it could use additional ammunition to find a franchise quarterback. Moving its best player to do so, though, would be the kind of franchise-altering move that would immediately put Glenn and Mougey behind the eight ball.
Gardner is coming off the worst season of his career, albeit a strong one for most starting corners. He's still in line to make nine figures and he has repeatedly expressed his desire to be a cornerstone for the Jets.
New York's offseason, from signing Fields to finding three veteran starters on defense, hasn't resembled a tank. Neither has the front office's public-facing comments. Without embarking on an intentional journey to the top of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading Gardner isn't on the docket, making it much more likely that he is extended than anything else.
Related: Should There Be Panic Over Jets QB Situation?
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 7:40 PM.
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