The New York Jets made significant moves at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, sending cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. General manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn collaborated on the decisions, aiming to rebuild using acquired draft picks. The trades reflect a long-term vision rather than a full teardown, despite the team's 1-7 record.
The 2025 NFL trade deadline on November 4 saw the New York Jets as one of the busiest teams, executing blockbuster deals that reshaped their roster. In a trade with the Colts, the Jets acquired two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for star cornerback Sauce Gardner. Separately, they sent defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, who offered the better of their two first-round picks instead of just a 2027 Packers first-rounder, according to sources.
General manager Darren Mougey emphasized that the moves were not a 'teardown,' stating he 'wouldn’t call it a teardown.' Head coach Aaron Glenn was involved in the decision-making process, aligning with Mougey on the joint vision for the team's future. Sources indicate Glenn's job security remains intact, with no plans for a one-and-done season. Owner Woody Johnson praised Glenn, noting, 'I've known Aaron since 1996... I've always been a fan of him. I see the way he handles the room. If I were a player, I'd respond to him because he's the real deal.'
The Jets now hold three additional first-round picks and one additional second-round pick over the next two drafts, totaling eight picks in the first two rounds for 2026 and 2027. This stockpile is intended to facilitate rebuilding in the image of Mougey and Glenn, drawing comparisons to the Oklahoma City Thunder's draft asset accumulation or the Detroit Lions' patience with coach Dan Campbell, who started 0-10-1 before turning things around.
While the trades complicate Glenn's immediate challenges with a young, transitioning roster and quarterback issues, the focus is on long-term growth. The deadline saw 12 players traded league-wide, including six former first-round picks, marking historic activity with 27 players involved in 22 in-season trades since Week 1.