The New York Jets have been a team in transition for quite some time now. After years of struggling to find success on the field, the franchise has undergone a major organizational shift in hopes of turning things around. As part of this shift, two once-promising players, Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, have been traded away during their prime years. However, despite these changes, there is still hope for the Jets as they look to the future.
Williams and Gardner were both highly-touted prospects when they entered the league as top-5 draft picks for the Jets. They were seen as foundational pieces for the franchise, expected to anchor the team for years to come. However, things did not go as planned for either player.
Williams, a defensive tackle, was selected with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a dominant force on the Jets’ defensive line and help turn around their struggling defense. While he did show flashes of potential, he never quite lived up to the expectations placed upon him. In his three seasons with the Jets, Williams recorded 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, solid numbers but not quite what was expected from a top draft pick.
On the other hand, Gardner, a cornerback, was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was seen as a lockdown corner who could shut down some of the league’s top receivers. However, he struggled in his rookie season, recording just one interception and allowing a completion percentage of 67.3%. While it’s still early in his career, Gardner has yet to live up to the high expectations placed upon him.
Despite their underwhelming performances, both Williams and Gardner were still seen as valuable assets for the Jets. However, the team’s new leadership, led by head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, had a different vision for the franchise. They believed that in order to truly turn things around, they needed to make some bold moves and shake up the roster.
And that’s exactly what they did. In March of 2022, the Jets traded Williams to the San Francisco 49ers for a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This move was met with mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike. While some saw it as a necessary move to acquire more draft capital, others were disappointed to see a young and talented player like Williams leave the team.
Then, just a few months later, the Jets shocked the NFL world by trading Gardner to the Cincinnati Bengals for a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This move was met with even more backlash from fans and analysts, as Gardner was seen as a potential cornerstone for the Jets’ defense.
But despite the initial shock and disappointment, there is reason to believe that these moves will ultimately benefit the Jets in the long run. With the additional draft picks acquired from these trades, the team has the opportunity to add more young talent and build a strong foundation for the future. And with Saleh and Douglas at the helm, there is hope that the Jets will finally be able to turn things around and become a competitive team in the NFL.
In fact, NFL analyst Rich Eisen recently made a bold prediction about the Jets, stating that he believes they will be a playoff team within the next three years. While this may seem like a lofty prediction, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility. The Jets have made some smart moves in the offseason, including signing key free agents and making strategic trades. And with a young and talented quarterback in Zach Wilson, the future looks bright for the team.
So while it may be tough to see promising players like Williams and Gardner leave the team, it’s important to trust in the vision of the new leadership and have faith in the future of the Jets. These moves may be part of a broader organizational shift, but they could ultimately lead to a successful and competitive team in the years to come. As fans, we must remain positive and support the team as they continue to build towards a brighter future.
