The New York Jets are in a position to make a splash right now, even if they aren’t as well for the future, but the way to do so is clearly being laid out for something much bigger down the road.
While much of the focus has been on the team fixing some things right now, ESPN’s Rich Cimini recently pointed out that the organization is quietly setting itself up to become one of the most aggressive teams in the NFL in the near future in a potential trade.
Darren Mougey had to do what he had to do at the trade deadline, and even when he initially signed. Mougey allowed Aaron Rodgers to walk, but there was a price to pay for that. Rather than trying to force a quick fix with money, though, the Jets look to be taking a more calculated, long-term approach.
Cimini wrote about just how ideal that future flexibility could be, noting that the Jets will soon be in a position to make a blockbuster deal.
“We're talking about more than $150 million in 2027 cap space, which will allow them to be major players next offseason. If a star player becomes available via trade, the Jets, with their three 2027 first-round picks and oodles of cap space, will be in position to move on it. That goes for any position, including quarterback.
“This is all part of a carefully crafted plan by general manager Darren Mougey, who inherited the Rodgers contract and a few other unwieldy contracts (Allen Lazard, anyone?). This explains, in part, the massive dead-money hit this year -- $104 million, the third-highest in the league, according to Spotrac,” he wrote.
This draft capital puts New York in a position few teams around the league can come close to. With multiple first-round picks and money, the Jets can realistically target a superstar QB at some point, if one becomes available.
While I didn’t agree with going out and trading for Geno Smith, I also understand that there’s not much risk here. Even if it doesn’t work out, it wasn’t like the Jets were going to be good this season.