Jets Reportedly Weren't 'Proactively Seeking' Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams Trades

The New York Jets weren't "proactively seeking" to trade top defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported.

According to Fowler, the deals materialized after the Indianapolis Colts "leaned heavily on the concept of a Gardner trade."

"Once a deal for him materialized, it became easier to deal Williams," Fowler wrote.

The Jets received two first-round picks and wideout Adonai Mitchell from the Colts in exchange for Gardner, then traded Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first rounder, second rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

The franchise now holds two first-round picks in 2026 and three first-round picks in 2027.

That could potentially include one of the top picks in the 2026 draft, if the Jets' 1-7 start to the season and trade deadline sell-off is any indication.

The Jets' defense was already allowing an average of 27.6 points against per game, good for sixth-most in the NFL, before trading nickelback Michael Carter II alongside Gardner and Williams.

General manager Darren Mougey said after the Gardner and Williams trades the Jets weren't committing to a "teardown" and that "the goal is always to win." The best outcome for the rest of the season still might be to earn as a high of a 2026 draft pick as possible.

Jets owner Woody Johnson has made it clear he doesn't expect Justin Fields to be back for another year. The Jets will need to use these next two drafts not only to rebuild the team's defense but to find its next franchise quarterback.

But the Jets have been here before. The trade that sent star safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2020 season also netted the franchise multiple first-round picks, which former general manager Joe Douglas described at the time as a "unique opportunity."

The Jets used the return from that trade to select guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, both of whom have found success with the franchise.

It still wasn't enough to help the franchise climb into playoff contention. Douglas was fired after a 3-8 start to the 2024 season, and the Jets completely overhauled the front office after a 14th straight missed postseason with the hirings of Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn in January.

With the Jets' playoff drought set to stretch into an NFL-high 15th year, whether the franchise can land on game-changing players in the next two drafts could impact how long the current front office will remain in place.

That might be part of the reason Mougey couldn't pass up on an offer that included two more first-round picks, even if it meant parting with one of the team's best players.