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The New York Jets set football back 60 years with an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos in London last Sunday. The offense managed just 82 total yards against Denver as Justin Fields took nine sacks and accounted for -11 net passing yards.
The last time the Jets embarrassed owner Woody Johnson in London the head coach got fired. Obviously it’s too early even for Johnson to fire Aaron Glenn. But it may not be an overreaction to believe his seat is warming up.
Glenn is off to an Adam Gasian 0-6 start in his debut with New York. It’s just the third time in the 65-year history of the team that the Jets are winless entering Week 7. The first two times it happened, the coach was fired. Of course, both Rich Kotite and Gase were in their second seasons when they got the ax.
Reasonable Jets fans recognize that there are bound to be growing pains for a first-time head coach – particularly when taking the helm of a comically inept franchise. But even the most optimistic fan must feel like the 2025 Jets season is a circle Dante missed in the Inferno.
The Jets went from a team that was a quarterback away from contending to a team that aspires to play meaningful games in October.
Needless to say, New York has abandoned all hope for the 2025 season. But while reaching the playoffs for the first time since the Obama administration is no longer a reality, there’s still work to be done.
New York must decide how to handle the November 4 NFL trade deadline.
Teams have been bombarding the Jets with calls, inquiring about players’ availability. And while it’s an unpleasant reminder that the team’s season is over, the deadline presents an opportunity to shape the future of the franchise.
The list of players the Jets should consider moving is extensive. But three players stand out as priority trade candidates for New York.
Back in July, before the start of training camp, we humbly suggested trading Alijah Vera-Tucker. The talented but injury-plagued guard is in the final year of his rookie contact after the Jets picked up his fifth-year option. It seemed unlikely that New York would extend AVT after he missed 25 games over his first four seasons. But he would have made for a nice trade chip.
That ship has obviously sailed, as Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending injury prior to Week 1. But the Jets should be looking to move players on expiring contracts for draft capital where possible.
The Jets revamped the secondary over the offseason. Cornerback D.J. Reed’s departure was the most noteworthy change. But New York also lost safeties Ashtyn Davis, Chuck Clark and Jalen Mills.
The Jets replaced Reed with Brandon Stephens, who inked a three-year, $36 million contract with the team. Glenn and company then bolstered the defensive backfield by adding Andre Cisco on...
