The Jets made the biggest moves at this year's NFL Trade Deadline, dealing Sauce Gardnerand Quinnen Williams and restarting their rebuild, and GM Darren Mougey spoke with the media hours after the 4 p.m. deadline to talk about the organization's moves.
"A lot of work goes into it. Never an easy day, a lot of tough decisions," Mougey said in his opening statement. "Never easy moving on from any player, let alone guys like Sauce and Quinnen, who have been a part of this organization and team this year.
"We got to today and we had these offers that we felt were too good for the team (to pass up) and we made that with Sauce and Quinnen.”
Mougey explained that his staff has weekly meetings to discuss the roster and potential trade values. He called it a "very detailed" process, especially in the case of Gardner, whom the team extended to make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history in the offseason. Mougey applauded his team for coming up with a contract for Gardner that gave the Jets flexibility when it came to potential trades.
"We had a lot of discussion going through that contract process and some of the details we had to have in that contract because you never know how the future is going to unfold," Mougey explained. "We always want to be in a position to potentially trade these contracts... [We] made that contract a tradeable contract. For the situation where you think the value is too good to pass up and that was the case here."
Gardner was being paid the league minimum in 2025 before his contract kicks in for the 2026 season. So the Jets free up cap space over the next few years and received two first-round picks.
And while Mougey wouldn't say how long talks for Sauce have been going on, the first-year GM said he speaks with other teams all season but the Colts' package only came in the last few days.
"When it came down to the last few days, Indianapolis became richer and richer with their value and eventually," Mougey said. "Like I said, was too good to pass up."
Why Quinnen Williams was traded
While the football world was blindsided by the Sauce deal, it was a precursor to the Quinnen Williams trade.
SNY's Connor Hughes reported that Williams' relationship with the Jets had deteriorated this season and asked for a trade, specifically to the Cowboys.
Mougey declined to comment when asked about Williams' demand.
The Jets GM received a first-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2026 from Dallas, which Mougey said "was good value for us today."
Of course, Williams was set for a payday. There was a potential opt-out after the 2026 season and Mougey was asked if contract talks were a factor in the move.
"There’s a lot of things that go into these decisions," he said. "I wouldn’t say it was the contract. There’s a lot of things we discuss."