NFL Trade Deadline: Jets Make Major Moves

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and the New York Jets are in the spotlight after a surprising move: they let go of two All-Pro defensive players, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, right before the deadline on Tuesday.

Given that the Jets are struggling with a 1-7 record, it’s not shocking they chose to sell. However, the departure of such key players certainly caused a stir among former teammates, who took to social media to express their feelings.

Running back Breece Hall and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, reportedly both seeking trades, shared their thoughts on X. Hall, in a now-deleted tweet, expressed his frustration: “I’m tired of this guy disrespecting me,” accompanied by a sad emoji. He seemed to be reacting to the changes happening around the team, particularly the recent trades involving Gardner and the Colts.

Gardner, who had just signed a four-year extension this offseason, was traded for two first-round picks, while Williams, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, made his way to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 first-rounder, a 2026 second-rounder, and defensive tackle Maji Smith.

With these trades, the Jets appear to be leaning towards a rebuild, though they plan to keep their offensive stars like Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson intact.

Meanwhile, Johnson voiced his deep disappointment regarding the trades. After the deadline, he spoke about needing to trust the organization while addressing his pain about losing teammates. “I’d be lying if I said I’m glad my brothers are gone. I’m not because I’m sick,” he admitted, stressing his commitment to the team and looking ahead optimistically. “I love this team and this fan base,” he said, encouraging everyone to remain hopeful.

With first-year general manager Darren Mousey and head coach Aaron Glenn facing challenges, it seems like another rebuilding phase is on the horizon for the Jets, a franchise that hasn’t made playoff appearances since January 2011.