Jets trade Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner in separate blockbuster deals

The Jets made two stunning and massive trades on Tuesday, dealing away prominent players and franchise faces to build for the future.

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner were moved before the 4 p.m. trade deadline in a wild day for the organization that signaled it’s all about next year and beyond for general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn.

Gardner was dealt first in a trade that no one saw coming. The Jets sent the two-time All-Pro to the Indianapolis Colts for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 and receiver Adonai “AD” Mitchell.

A little later, Williams, a three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

“Never easy moving on from any player, let alone guys like Sauce and Quinnen,” Mougey said during a Zoom call. “We had these offers that we just felt were too good for the team.”

The Jets are 1-7 and stumbling to their 15th consecutive season of missing the playoffs. These two bold, franchise-changing moves that Mougey orchestrated in his first trade deadline as a GM have set the organization up to be major players this offseason.

The Jets now have two first-round picks and two second-rounders next year, and three first-round picks in 2027. They also will have roughly $95 million to spend in free agency, according to overthecap.com.

“It gives us good flexibility going into the draft this year and next year,” Mougey said. “I’m excited about having that flexibility.”

Quarterback is the Jets’ main need, but they have holes to fill at numerous positions. The most important thing is that Mougey and Glenn hit on those picks, particularly at quarterback.

Mougey said the Jets aren’t punting on this season, though.

“The goal is always to win,” he said.

The Jets, who were expected to be active Tuesday, pulled off three trades. They also acquired cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor from the Chargers for a conditional seventh-round pick.

The players who many thought could be moved — Quincy Williams, Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson and Allen Lazard — remained with the team.

Gardner’s name never came up in trade rumors before Tuesday. He was expected to be part of the Jets’ foundation and long-term future.

Less than four months after this regime made him the highest-paid cornerback by signing him to a four-year, $120.4 million extension, Gardner is an ex-Jet.

“New York it’s been real,” Gardner tweeted from his official X account and ended his post with a green heart emoji.

New York it's been real💚

— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) November 4, 2025

It was astonishing that the Jets moved on from Gardner so quickly, but Mougey said he got an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“When it came down to the last few days, Indianapolis kept getting richer and richer with their value,” Mougey said. “Eventually, it was too good to pass up.”

The Gardner trade made the Williams’ move less surprising since it appeared the Jets were tearing things down.

“I wouldn’t call it a tear-down,” Mougey said.

Williams, the No. 3 pick in 2019, was the Jets’ longest-tenured position player and a captain. It was obvious the losing was wearing on him.

Williams didn’t agree with the release of Aaron Rodgers. At the time, Williams posted on X, “Another rebuild year for me I guess.” This season was the second time the Jets lost at least their first seven games during Williams’ tenure.

He expressed frustration more than previous years. Williams, who signed a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, reportedly requested a trade. Mougey wouldn’t address the report and said, “I’m not here to talk about rumors and different things.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on ESPN radio in September that he tried to acquire Williams in a trade for Micah Parsons. The Jets said no and Parsons was traded to Green Bay. But the Jets and Dallas struck a deal Tuesday with the Jets receiving the better of Cowboys’ 2027 first-round picks — theirs or the one they acquired from the Packers.

Williams played in 98 games. He finished his Jets career with 322 tackles and 40 sacks. Williams had only one sack this season. It came on the first defensive snap of the season, against Rodgers.

“New York will always have a special place in my heart,” Williams posted on X on Tuesday night. “To my teammates, coaches, and the entire Jets organization, thank you for believing in me and helping me develop on and off the field.”

New York will always have a special place in my heart. To my teammates, coaches, and the entire Jets organization, thank you for believing in me and helping me develop on and off the field. To the fans, thank you for embracing a kid from Alabama and showing love through every…

— Quinnen Williams (@QuinnenWilliams) November 5, 2025

The Jets’ defensive tackle room now consists of Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs — two players they traded for on the same day before the season — as well as Jay Tufele and the newly acquired Smith. A first-round pick in 2023 — No. 26 overall — Smith had 57 tackles and two sacks in 39 games for Dallas.

It’s going to be difficult for the Jets to find someone of Gardner’s size and skill level in a passing league.

The No. 4 pick in 2022, Gardner was the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons. After a down year in 2024, Gardner was playing well this season. According to Pro Football Reference, Gardner was targeted only 28 times and allowed 13 receptions, a completion percentage of .464.

Gardner played 55 games for the Jets, recording 201 tackles, 46 passes defended and three interceptions.

Veteran Brandon Stephens and rookie Azareye’h Thomas, who started the last game with Gardner sidelined with a concussion, will be the Jets’ outside corners. Jarvis Brownlee, acquired from Tennessee in September, is the slot corner. The Jets traded nickel back Michael Carter II to the Eagles last week.

The Jets added a talented young receiver in Mitchell, a second-round pick in 2024, had 32 catches for 464 yards in 25 games for the Colts. He’s made nine catches for 152 yards this season.