The New York Jets are basically living in a fever dream right now. After a 3-14 season that felt like a slow-motion car crash, the front office didn't just tweak the roster—they blew it up. If you haven't been following the New York Jets trade rumors lately, you might have missed that the team actually pulled the trigger on two of the biggest blockbuster trades in franchise history.
Seeing Sauce Gardner in an Indianapolis Colts jersey is going to be weird. Honestly, it’s still sinking in for most fans. But the fallout from these deals has created a massive ripple effect that is dominating the 2026 offseason conversation. General Manager Darren Mougey and Head Coach Aaron Glenn are essentially playing a high-stakes game of "rebuild or bust," and the league is watching to see if they can actually stick the landing.
The Blockbuster Reality: Sauce and Quinnen are Gone
We need to talk about what actually happened before we get into what might happen next. The Jets didn't just "shop" their stars; they moved them for a king's ransom.
The deal that sent Sauce Gardner to the Colts brought back wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and a massive haul of picks, including Indy’s 2026 first-rounder (No. 16 overall) and a 2027 first-rounder. Then, they sent Quinnen Williams to Dallas for defensive lineman Mazi Smith and even more draft capital.
Because of these moves, the Jets are sitting on a "bounty," as team contributor Randy Lange put it. They have the No. 2 and No. 16 picks in the first round this year. They also have the No. 33 and No. 44 picks in the second round. That is four picks in the top 45.
It’s unprecedented.
But here’s the kicker: having all those picks makes the New York Jets trade rumors even more intense because everyone knows the Jets are desperate for a quarterback. And the draft board just threw them a nasty curveball.
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The Dante Moore Disaster and the QB Pivot
For months, the plan was simple. Suck for a year, get the No. 2 pick, and draft Oregon’s Dante Moore. It was the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
Then, on Wednesday, January 14, Moore announced he was staying at Oregon for another year.
Ouch.
That single decision turned the Jets' offseason upside down. With Indiana's Fernando Mendoza almost certainly going No. 1 to the Raiders, the Jets are suddenly looking at a "weak" quarterback class. This has reignited a flurry of trade speculation. If they can’t draft the savior at No. 2, do they trade the pick? Do they use that "bounty" of selections to go after a disgruntled veteran?
The Names Surfacing in New York Jets Trade Rumors
The rumor mill is currently churning out three or four specific names that keep local sports radio hosts up at night.
1. The Tua Tagovailoa "Salary Dump" Idea
This one sounds like Madden logic, but some analysts, like Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, think it has legs. The Miami Dolphins benched Tua late in 2025, and his relationship with the team is... well, it’s not great. The idea is that the Jets use their $93 million in cap space to absorb Tua’s massive contract. In return, Miami might actually give the Jets more picks just to take the money off their hands.
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It’s creative. It’s also risky. Tua is a winner, but the injuries and the contract are massive red flags.
2. The Joe Burrow Pipe Dream
Last month, Joe Burrow reportedly expressed some frustration with the Bengals' direction. Naturally, Jets fans took that and ran a marathon with it. A proposed trade idea has the Jets sending five picks—including the No. 2 and No. 16 overall—to Cincinnati for Burrow.
Is it likely? No. Is it the exact kind of "all-in" move that Woody Johnson loves? Absolutely. Getting a guy like Burrow would instantly make the Jets relevant again, but it would cost them almost every bit of the draft capital they just worked so hard to acquire.
3. The Kyler Murray "Fresh Start"
Kyler Murray only played five games in 2025, and the Cardinals seem ready to turn the page. His contract is a nightmare, but compared to the uncertainty of a weak rookie class, a 28-year-old former No. 1 pick starts to look pretty good. The problem is whether the Jets want to jump from one expensive, aging quarterback situation (the Aaron Rodgers era) straight into another.
Why the Secondary Market Matters
While everyone is obsessed with the QB spot, keep an eye on the defense. The Jets are likely to lose All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams in free agency. He had a career-high 3.5 sacks last year but reportedly doesn't fit the new defensive scheme.
Because the Jets have so many mid-round picks, rumors are circulating about them trading for a "Swiss Army Knife" defender. Names like Arvell Reese have been linked to the team via the draft, but don't be surprised if they use a second-rounder to snag a proven veteran cornerback to fill the void Sauce Gardner left behind.
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They already traded a 2028 seventh-round pick for Ja'Sir Taylor from the Chargers, which shows they are willing to make smaller, depth-building moves while they hunt for the "Big Fish."
What to Watch for in the Coming Weeks
The NFL calendar is pretty rigid, so we know exactly when the smoke will turn into fire.
- February 23 – March 2: The NFL Scouting Combine. This is where the real trade talks happen in hotel bars and backrooms.
- March 9: The "Legal Tampering" period begins.
- March 11: The 2026 League Year starts, and trades can be officially processed.
The Jets have $68 million to $93 million in cap space, depending on how they structure their cuts. They have the assets. They have the need. Honestly, the only thing they don't have is a margin for error.
If they keep the No. 2 pick and "reach" for a quarterback like Trinidad Chambliss (who is electric but small), they risk another Zach Wilson-style meltdown. If they trade the farm for a veteran, they have to hope that veteran stays healthy behind a line that is still being rebuilt.
Actionable Insights for the Jets Offseason
If you’re trying to keep up with the chaos, here is how to read the tea leaves over the next month:
- Monitor the Raiders at No. 1: If Las Vegas signals they might be open to trading the top pick, the Jets are the only team with the "ammo" to move up and grab Fernando Mendoza. That would be the ultimate power move.
- Watch Breece Hall’s Social Media: The star RB is a free agent. If the Jets can't reach an extension soon, trade rumors involving a "tag and trade" scenario might start to surface. Keeping him is priority No. 1 for the offense's stability.
- Don't ignore the "Project" QBs: Since Dante Moore is out, the Jets might use a later pick (like No. 33) on a high-upside guy like Taylen Green or Jalon Daniels. If they do that, it's a signal they are looking for a veteran bridge starter via trade.
The Jets are in a position where they can literally outbid anyone in the league for a star player. Whether that's a good idea or just another chapter in the "Same Old Jets" saga remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: this is the most active the New York Jets trade rumors have been in a decade, and it's not even February yet.
Keep a close eye on the contract status of Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa as we approach March 11. Their respective teams’ willingness to eat some of those signing bonuses will be the deciding factor in whether the Jets pull the trigger on a franchise-altering swap.
Next Steps for the Jets Fan:
Track the specific salary cap movements of the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals over the next three weeks; any "restructuring" of other contracts there usually signals they are clearing space to facilitate a trade of their high-priced quarterbacks. Also, keep an eye on the "Reserve/Future" signings like Bailey Zappe—these small moves often hint at the type of scheme the new offensive coordinator wants to run.