Jets GM Mougey Explains Shocking Trades of Gardner and Williams
New York Jets General Manager Darren Mougey stunned the NFL by trading away defensive cornerstones Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams ahead of the trade deadline, despite insisting it wasn’t a “teardown” as the team sits at 1-7.1 Mougey apologized for hoarseness from “a lot of talking and dealing” during the blockbuster moves that pivot the franchise’s focus toward 2026 and beyond.2
The Gardner trade to the Colts yielded two first-round picks (2026, 2027) and receiver Adonai Mitchell.3 The Williams deal with the Cowboys brought back a 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.4 The Jets now possess significant future draft capital: two first-rounders in 2026 and three in 2027.5
Mougey stated the value for Gardner, who signed a massive extension in July, became “too good to pass up.” He also noted contracts for Gardner and Garrett Wilson were structured to allow for such trades. While the Williams deal concluded faster, reports suggested he was disgruntled. Mougey affirmed the goal remains to win in 2025, emphasizing the retained talent of players like Breece Hall and Jermaine Johnson.
Would you like to know the specific draft capital the Jets now hold for the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts?