New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey opted to use the trade deadline as an opportunity to accelerate their much-needed rebuild. Sensing that the team was going nowhere this year, the Jets traded two of their defensive stalwarts in cornerback Sauce Gardner and tackle Quinnen Williams.
The Garner trade saw the Jets get a huge haul from the Indianapolis Colts, as they surrendered their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. It was understandable why the Colts made this trade at the time.
They looked like surefire playoff contenders and potential favorites to win the Super Bowl before the trade deadline.