The Jets didn’t do much at the trade deadline themselves, but they still came out with something to smile about.
While New York made one inconsequential move on Monday and then sat tight through Tuesday, the Indianapolis Colts kept tearing things down. Their latest round of deals sent wide receiver Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers and fourth-year pass catcher Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs, two more moves that chipped away at the roster and left Indianapolis even thinner than before.
It was not the same kind of headline-grabbing shakeup the Colts made earlier when they moved guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, but the message was the same: the sell-off is still rolling. For Jets fans, that matters because Indianapolis owns New York’s first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
That gives Jets supporters a very specific team to keep an eye on over the rest of the season. With their own season feeling flat and a tough stretch ahead that includes the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots, the better use of their attention may be the Colts’ losses instead of the Jets’ results. If Indianapolis keeps sliding, there’s a path to New York ending up with two top-five picks in next April’s draft.
This weekend’s trip to Miami to face the Dolphins suddenly carries even more weight in that draft picture.
Still, the Colts did not unload everything they could have. Running back Jonathan Taylor, who had drawn offers over the last month, remained in Indianapolis.
Defensive tackle Grover Stewart also stayed put despite being set to hit free agency this spring. Both would have been notable additions for teams looking to add talent, and their absence from the deadline deals leaves the Colts with a little more than they might have traded away.
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Jets Offense Has A Geno Smith Problem That Keeps Getting Worse
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For a team trying to find any kind of stability, the concern is not just the production on the field but the sense that both sides may already be thinking beyond the present. Smith and Reich are each being judged on what happens now, yet the bigger question hanging over the Jets is whether either one is fully invested in fixing this partnership before the season slips further away. [Read more 🡒]
Garrett Wilson Just Sent A Clear Message About The Jets Future
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For the Jets, keeping Wilson was about more than just avoiding a splashy trade. He remains a foundational player in what the organization hopes will be its next phase, especially as the team looks to stabilize the offense and build around a new quarterback plan. In a season full of uncertainty, retaining a receiver of Wilsons caliber sends a clear signal about where the franchise wants to go next. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Hold A Draft Debate That Could Define Darren Mougey
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The names in the discussion tell the story of where the franchise wants to go, with defensive prospects Leonard Moore, Chris Cole, Clev Lubin and Tavion Gadson all drawing attention as possible foundation pieces. The bigger question is how aggressively the Jets will chase a new franchise passer, and whether the front office sees enough in the current college crop to make that the defining move of the class. [Read more 🡒]