The Jets sold two of their best players at maximum value and then tried an impossible sell that winning is still a priority this season.
In one of the most significant days in franchise history, the Jets shockingly traded Sauce Gardner to the Colts and somewhat surprisingly dealt Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys in a pair of moves at Tuesday’s trade deadline that signaled (over objections) that this disappointing season is over and control of the next two draft boards could be theirs.
The Jets received first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 and receiver Adonai Mitchell for Gardner, and a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith for Williams.
“We had these offers that we just felt were too good for the team,” general manager Darren Mougey said.
The moves arm the Jets with two first-round picks — including potentially No. 1 overall — and two second-round picks in the 2026 draft as well as three first-round picks and a second-round pick in the 2027 draft that is being billed as a potentially all-time talent-rich class.
The Jets now have the packageable assets necessary to be aggressive for any available franchise quarterback, whether that is a veteran or a draft target who otherwise would be out of their reach.
“I know it gives us good flexibility,” Mougey said.
The teardown moves should answer any questions about the job security of Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, who are being afforded patience to rebuild despite a 1-7 start to their regime.
“I wouldn’t call it a teardown,” Mougey said.
Mougey pitched that the talent-depleted Jets are still prioritizing winning now — perhaps a message to the locker room.
“That’s what the fans deserve, that’s what the players deserve, that’s what the coaches deserve,” Mougey said. “That never changes. The focus is winning Sunday against the Browns — and that’s the only focus in this entire building right now.”
The Jets took on nearly $43 million in dead salary cap charges through the 2026 season to part with their two Pro Bowlers, according to Spotrac. On the flip side, the Jets are projected to have about $117 million in salary cap space to go on a free agent spending spree.
It was only 112 days ago that Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract as the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Coupled with the simultaneous $130 million extension for receiver Garrett Wilson, the two 2022 first-round picks were supposed to be foundational cornerstones for years.
“We had a lot of discussions going through that contract process and some of the details we had to have in that contract because you never know how the future is going to unfold,” Mougey said. “We always wanted to be in position to potentially trade these contracts.”
Now the Jets are undergoing a prompt face-lift, though teams that inquired about Wilson were told that he was off limits in the fire sale, sources told The Post. The Jets also curiously held onto:
• Running back Breece Hall, a pending free agent who can be franchise-tagged for about $14.1 million.
• Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who is signed to the fifth-year option ($13.4 million) in 2026.
• Linebacker Quincy Williams, who is beloved by the coaches but a 29-year-old pending free agent.
Gardner, 25, was a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons and seemed to genuinely embrace being a Jet when others do not, but he never added ball disruption to his status as a lockdown cornerback. He has just three interceptions and one forced fumble in 55 career games.
“When it came down to the last few days, Indianapolis kept getting richer and richer with their value,” Mougey said, “and eventually it was too good to pass up.”
Williams, 27, asked for a trade, according to SNY, and his preferred landing spot was the Cowboys, where he will be reunited with former Jets defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.
From the moment that Aaron Rodgers was released in February, Williams was disenfranchised by the reality of another rebuild as his career record in games played has slipped to 31-67. His average annual pay of $24 million on a contract through 2027 is outdated and he could soon seek a raise.
Mougey declined to comment on the trade request by Williams. He added “a lot of things go into these decisions, but I wouldn’t say the contract.”
One NFL executive told The Post that the Jets did “very well” in their returns, especially from the Colts. Another executive said the pressure is on to “nail all those picks because they traded away two really good players.”
Smith and Mitchell are former top 52 picks still on their rookie contracts who have not fulfilled their potential. Smith (signed through 2026) joins the rotation that steps into Williams’ void, while Mitchell addresses the glaring need by the Jets for NFL-caliber receivers who can take pressure off of Wilson.
The Jets beat the 4 p.m. deadline clock with a small trade, acquiring defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor for a 2028 conditional seventh-round pick.
No draft picks from before 2021 remain on the roster, and only long snapper Thomas Hennessy remains from the era of general manager Mike Maccagnan (2015-19).
