The New York Jets made headlines on NFL Trade Deadline day by executing two of the biggest trades, sending Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner to new teams. The first major move involved trading standout cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, even before the contract extension he signed this offseason had officially begun.
Jets rookie General Manager Darren Mougey addressed the Gardner trade during his post-deadline press conference. “We structured the contract in a way that it would be a tradeable contract if that sort of opportunity came to pass,” Mougey explained, as reported by The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt.
Earlier this year, the Jets secured both Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson with contracts extending through the 2030 season, signaling the team’s commitment to building through the challenges of the Aaron Rodgers era. However, Mougey made it clear that the organization has been open to offers for some time.
“We have our set values, and we keep all those conversations private. And when it came down to the last few days, Indianapolis kept getting richer and richer with their value, and eventually it was too good to pass up,” Mougey said.
The Jets received an incredible package in return for Gardner, comparable to the blockbuster price the Green Bay Packers paid for Micah Parsons. With three additional first-round picks now in hand, Mougey faces the task of rebuilding the roster, focusing on constructing a strong offensive line and surrounding Garrett Wilson with complementary talent.
Currently, the Jets sit at 1-7 as they return from their bye week, preparing for a matchup against the Cleveland Browns. They recently snapped a losing streak with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, marking their first win of the season. However, uncertainty remains around their next starting quarterback, as the Jets have yet to announce whether Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor will take the snap on Sunday.
Looking ahead, the Jets may once again find themselves near the top of the draft order this April, potentially searching for a new quarterback to lead the franchise into the future.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-york-jets/jets-news-darren-mougey-planning-trade-sauce-gardner