How the Trade Deadline Can Benefit the Jets Future

How the Trade Deadline Can Benefit the Jets Future

2025 has been a season to forget. Many expected growing pains within the first season of Aaron Glenn’s return to the organization as head coach. For years, fans appreciated Glenn when he wore green and white playing in New York’s secondary in the 1990s. However, being winless with Halloween has led to some difficult conversations. During this time, the Jets offense is 27th in points per game, and their defense is 26th in points allowed. Despite this, owner Woody Johnson has publicly stated his support for Aaron Glenn amidst this trying season. Optimistically, the defense has shown some life the last two weeks, allowing under 14 points in back-to-back games.

The fact remains that this season is to determine who should join stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner as long-term building blocks. Despite being winless, New York is on the verge of a top-five pick. As the projected favorites for the first overall pick, New York could opt for taking their franchise quarterback or move down to accumulate more picks. However, that’s not the only reason to be hopeful. As of this writing, New York is projected to have $74.8 million in cap space for the 2026 offseason. That’s the seventh highest, trailing only the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and Seattle Seahawks. By 2027, it will be at $144.7 million, which would rank ninth.

Some of that accumulated cap space will be utilized for contract extensions. Likely candidates starting with generational defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Along with potentially beloved defensive ends Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. But it will still allow New York to address needs at wide receiver, safety, and hopefully a young franchise quarterback within the next two seasons. In addition, the trade deadline can help that number grow.

Potential Trade Candidates Who Can Help Future Cap Space

Breece Hall, running back

Despite the despair that 2025 had brought, the New York Jets have one thing to hold their head high about. They are ninth in the league in rushing yards per game. Despite losing backup running back Braelon Allen to a knee injury, star Breece Hall has carried the load.

While the fourth-year running back has yet to score a touchdown, Hall is 13th in the league in rushing yards. Through the overturn at both quarterback and offensive coordinator, Hall has managed to produce despite a less-than-ideal environment. Amid the last year of his contract, New York should extend Hall to help the run game if Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza is the number one pick. However, Breece Hall could explore the market as an unrestricted free agent. At only 25 years old and with top 15 production, Hall’s next contract could give him a cap hit of north of eight-and-half million dollars in 2026.

In an ideal scenario, Hall stays in 2026 and beyond. But, if he’s eager to test the open market, New York can use that nearly nine million in savings to invest at a premium position like edge rusher. Should they accumulate a high fourth-round pick or a late third-round pick, it could be worth moving Breece Hall.

Quincy Williams, linebacker

Of the Robert Saleh era, few players exceeded expectations quite like linebacker Quincy Williams. The former Jacksonville Jaguars third-round pick signed with New York to reunite with his younger brother Quinnen on the Jets defense. The reunion led to a breakout, earning Williams a first-team All-Pro honor in 2023. He finished 2023 13th in combined tackles. However, despite this production, Williams will turn 30 next season and will be a free agent this offseason. As of now, Williams has been placed on injured reserve, recovering from a shoulder injury. While it won’t yield a high return as an expiring contract, a number of contenders should be willing to offer some draft capital for the veteran linebacker. As for New York, the extra five million dollars in 2026 will help with needed contract extensions.

Allen Lazard, wide receiver

Through three seasons of his initial four year/$44 million contract, he signed in 2023, the Allen Lazard experiment has been a failure. Used to entice quarterback Aaron Rodgers to arrive, the former Green Bay Packer has regressed from the 800+ yard receiver he once was. Thus far, Lazard has been a non-factor on offense with only 40 yards on six catches this year. That kind of production limits potential suitors. However, perhaps the Pittsburgh Steelers wouldn’t mind a reunion between Rodgers and Lazard. The AFC North leaders need another option behind DK Metcalf. If the Jets can secure a late-round pick before the trade deadline from Pittsburgh, it would be good value with Lazard’s expiring contract.