The New York Jets hit the reset button after a disastrous two years with Aaron Rodgers. That meant replacing the veteran with the younger Justin Fields and bringing in new leadership in Aaron Glenn who takes over as head coach.
Expectations are not overwhelming but the organization has chartered a new path forward. They do, however, have a decent starting point as they usher in a new era of Jets football.
Focusing on the offensive side with Fields, the Jets have a more than capable backfield tandem of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen with a budding receiving threat in Garrett Wilson. Could they look to add to this arsenal and surround Fields with more talent?
The Jets have Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds filed in behind Wilson on the depth chart though Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox believes they could entertain a blockbuster trade to add another impact player.
He listed the Jets as a possible suitor for Terry McLaurin. The Washington Commanders' No. 1 receiver has grown frustrated with extension talks that have yet to make any ground this offseason.
"McLaurin could be particularly valuable to Fields, who has shown himself to be an elite scrambler but who is still developing as a pocket passer. New York added Josh Reynolds this offseason but should be interested in adding McLaurin opposite Garrett Wilson."
From New York's side, such a deal would mean sending out a piece of value to have the financial stability to lock in McLaurin for his desired extension price. Therefore, Knox also proposes the Jets send back Hall to the Commanders in this deal.
Hall among others from a strong 2022 draft class will be due their own extensions in the near future, so the math already gets a little tricky when considering McLaurin's next contract could demand upwards of $30 million per year on average.
With that in mind, would such a move be necessary? The Jets are by no means tanking but they are not a proven contender either. There's a solid core around Fields that they should get some run with first before considering any major moves.
Furthermore, the Jets made the big gamble on a receiver last year with the trade for Davante Adams. That move came under different circumstances though the underlying point remains the same: New York has their No. 1 already and an offense with some promise around their new quarterback.
Perhaps Hall does get moved in a future deal as the Jets sort through extensions through their talented young players. While a McLaurin deal sounds tantalizing on paper, the Jets should not force a drastic move at this time.