The New York Jets executed two major trades on the 2025 NFL trade deadline, sending All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. In return, New York acquired three first-round picks, a second-round pick, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. These moves position the Jets with significant draft capital for future rebuilding.
The 2025 NFL trade deadline on November 4 proved eventful, with the New York Jets at the center of the action. In a surprising development, the Jets traded cornerback Sauce Gardner, who had signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July with $85.6 million in guarantees, to the Indianapolis Colts. The deal netted New York a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, a 2024 second-round pick. Jets general manager Darren Mougey described the offer as 'too good to pass up,' noting the contract's flexibility for such opportunities.
Shortly after, the Jets dealt defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, a 2022 first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, to the Dallas Cowboys. In exchange, they received a 2026 second-round pick, the higher of the Cowboys' or Green Bay Packers' 2027 first-round pick from the Micah Parsons trade, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Williams, selected third overall in 2019, had recorded 40 career sacks, third-most among 300-pound players since entering the league.
These trades give the Jets two first-round picks and two second-round picks in 2026, plus three first-round picks and one second-round pick in 2027. The moves enhance their draft capital to potentially target a quarterback in upcoming drafts, amid a 1-7 start to the season. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, a former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, expressed surprise at parting with Gardner but emphasized the team's focus on winning.
While the Jets reshaped their future, other hypothetical trades discussed included edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to the 49ers, running back Breece Hall to the Chiefs, and tight end David Njoku to the Packers, highlighting potential shifts in the playoff race.
