The Jets’ Trade Deadline Day: An Inside Look

Despite weeks of speculation and chatter, the New York Jets’ trade deadline day turned out to be surprisingly calm and uneventful. The Jets, under the helm of General Manager Joe Douglas, engaged in numerous discussions but failed to finalize any deals including Davante Adams.

The Hunt for a Wide Receiver

The Jets were on the hunt for a wide receiver, with top names like Davante Adams and Mike Evans on their radar. However, their attempts were thwarted as the Raiders and Buccaneers remained unwilling to part ways with their star players.

The Davante Adams Inquiry

First on the list was Davante Adams, an established wide receiver with a proven track record. Adams was a tantalizing prospect for the Jets, who were hoping to bolster their offensive prowess. However, Douglas’ inquiries were promptly shut down by the Raiders, who expressed no interest in trading their prized asset.

A source disclosed that the Jets made repeated inquiries about Adams, but to no avail.

The Mike Evans Inquiry

The Jets had also set their sights on Mike Evans, another prominent wide receiver. Despite their persistent inquiries, the Buccaneers remained steadfast in their decision to keep Evans within their ranks.

The Buccaneers were transparent from the start – Evans was not on the market.

The Offensive Line Dilemma

Another area the Jets were keen on strengthening was their offensive line. With a string of injuries plaguing their line-up, the Jets were in dire need of reinforcements.

The Ezra Cleveland Miss

One name that came up during the trade discussions was Ezra Cleveland, a guard with the Minnesota Vikings. However, despite engaging in talks with the Vikings, the Jets felt that Cleveland was not a suitable fit for their style of play.

The Vikings ended up trading Cleveland to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. Despite a source confirming the Jets’ interest in Cleveland, the deal fell through.

The Rodger Saffold Acquisition

Despite the lack of trades, the Jets did manage to add a new member to their offensive line. Veteran Rodger Saffold joined the Jets, signing on with the team’s practice squad. Saffold, a Pro Bowl alternate last year, is expected to move to the active roster at some point.

Douglas expressed excitement about Saffold’s signing, praising his toughness, experience, and competitive spirit.

The Failed Attempts to Sell

On the selling front, the Jets were open to trading defensive end Carl Lawson and running back Dalvin Cook. Both players, who had been underutilized and expressed dissatisfaction with their roles, were on the market. However, due to their hefty contracts, no interested buyers emerged.

The Bryce Huff Extension Talks

Douglas also mentioned ongoing discussions about extending the contract of edge rusher Bryce Huff, who is due to be a free agent in March. While the talks are in the early stages, Douglas described them as moving in a positive direction.

Douglas praised Huff’s hard work and progress, calling his career trajectory a “player-development story.”

It’s clear that the Jets had high hopes heading into the trade deadline day, with their eyes set on acquiring Davante Adams and other top players. Even though no deals were finalized, the Jets remain optimistic about their current line-up and future prospects. As Douglas succinctly put it, “We’re excited about the guys we have.”