A Closer Look - AD Mitchell
Edition #964: Now that the dust has settled on the seismic moves the Jets made on deadline day, it's time to start looking at our new additions, starting with AD Mitchell.
Good morning ☕
Are we fully recovered from the rollercoaster that was deadline day in the NFL?
No team impacted their present and future more than the Jets and when you’ve been absent from the playoff picture since 2010, that’s not a bad thing.
The Jets are undoubtedly a worse team than they were last time we saw them on the field, but the last time we saw them on the field they were getting their first win in week 8 of the NFL season.
That’s part of the reason I’m fully on board with the moves. If ever a team needed a seismic jolt it’s the Jets. Well we just took two jolts to the heart in an effort to get it beating again.
A lot of players inside that locker room will be disappointed that #1 and #95 won’t be by their side this weekend, but as Jermaine Johnson put it, a lot of those players will still be fully behind what the Jets are looking to do.
The NFL is a business, more so today than it ever was. GMs are in the business of providing wins and Mougey quickly realised that without drastic action he was going to be unable to provide the wins that NFL owners and fanbases crave.
I would say that now the dust has settled around 75% of the fanbase are on board with what happened this week. Hopefully the other 25% will give the new regime time to either prove them right by failing to draft and develop the picks acquired in the deal, or prove them wrong by turning the Jets into a winner.
Today we focus on one of the pieces Darren Mougey prioritised in the deal that saw Sauce Gardner traded to Indianapolis for two first round picks.
NEWS & NOTES
Good note here by Rich Cimini. Since 1995 the Jets have traded 16 of their first round picks out of a possible 38. That’s 42%, I can’t categorically say that’s the highest rate in the league over that period and Rich didn’t clarify that either, but if it’s not the highest it’ll certainly be up there. A lot of good picks are included in their, but a lot of those trades are based on a collective failure to develop a consistent winner. Glenn and Mougey will hope to reverse that over the next few years.
The Jets officially placed Andre Cisco on IR and signed Dean Smith to the active roster as a replacement.
Aaron Glenn is pitching this as an opportunity for many on the roster: “I’ve said that to all our players, not just today but throughout this season, that this is a fluid game, and players come and go, coaches come and go,” Glenn said on Wednesday. “But the one thing that I do know ... with change comes opportunity, and I think Sauce and Quinnen are going to have a great opportunity with those teams. But also I know there’s a lot of opportunity for our guys here, too. So that’s where the focus is for our guys.”
Glenn also drew on his own experience when the Jets allowed him to be claimed by the Houston Texans in the expansion draft: “There’s a lot of things that change. That’s part of this game. Hell, I wish I would have stayed here my whole [playing] career, but things changed. And I talked to both of those guys and it was good to have those guys as Jets, but again, that’s how this league is.”
The former Jets Pro Bowler also appreciated the fans impatience but implored fans to stay wit it: “I want this to be a team that the fans are proud of,” he said. “And I will still say that this is a team that the fans will be proud of. I will tell you this ... our guys are working. We’re going to continue to work, so don’t let go of the rope and just continue to watch us work.”
Taking a look at those trades we made on deadline day, let’s take a look at some immediate reaction:
NFL.com gave the Jets an A- for the Gardner trade: “Trading Gardner is an admission that Gang Green isn’t close to being a fully-formed product -- they’re not just a year away from contention. Getting extra first-rounders is the best way to jumpstart their rebuild. It might sting to lose a star, but they had to give something up to restock for the future.”
NFL.com gave the Jets a B+ for the Williams trade: “So while I don’t love it as much as the Sauce trade, it’s still the right move for a foundering Gang Green squad. New York was headed nowhere with Williams this season. This isn’t a one-year rebuild. The Jets, with an additional second-round pick this season and a third first-rounder in 2027, now have the chips to completely overhaul the operation.”
ESPN gave the Jets an A and the Cowboys an F for the Williams deal: “The Jets probably cannot believe their fortune right now. By the time they are contenders again, it’s very possible Williams will be in decline. Now they can simultaneously save on Williams’ salary and turn him into serious draft assets -- all at a time when it’s better for them, considering their need at quarterback, to tank.”
ESPN gave the Jets an A and the Colts a D for the Gardner trade: “Wow. Only four months after inking Gardner to a lucrative extension, the Jets sent him to the Colts in a shocking move. And you know what? They were absolutely right to do so. This was a home run for the Jets, considering the four-year, $120.4 million contract Gardner was on and the compensation they received -- two first-round picks and Mitchell, a second-round pick a year ago.”
Jets GM Darren Mougey spoke of his excitement for the draft: “It gives us good flexibility going into the draft this year and next year,” Mougey said. “Excited about having that flexibility. … There’s a lot to happen between now and April, and then especially in 2027.”
Quincy Williams revealed late last night that he has been informed that he’s lost his starting spot “My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp…I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s one of those things where I’m not mad about it because they told me what I need to get better at,” - Quincy said the coaches want him to improve his hand usage and to play with a more downhill mentality. Both Quincy and Sherwood have been disappointing this year but there is finally some accountability at 1JD. Kiko will likely replace him against Cleveland on Sunday and with how things are trending, it’s like likely Quincy leaves in the off-season with his contract up.
Quinnen Williams has been speaking as a new Dallas Cowboy: “They knew I was frustrated. I think the world knew I was frustrated being there so long and still losing.”
Yesterday it was reported that Breece Hall had requested a trade. Yesterday he was asked straight if he’s ever asked for a trade and he just said “No” and then elaborated: “There’s been a lot of stuff out there that’s true and false. I let that be what it is. It’s out there, it is what it is. I’m here, and I’m worried about playing Cleveland this week.” Don’t believe everything you read in the media. “At the end of the day, I’m about showing up on Sundays and being a good dude to my teammates” Breece said.
Jermaine Johnson says the Jets want to attack the second half “I think we have a lot of high-character guys in here that are able to take a break but still come back with that momentum and understand that we’re looking to attack the back half of the season”
Justin Fields was asked about the additions of Mitchell and Metchie: “First and foremost, I’m excited to have those guys on the team,” Fields said. “They’re really talented, great football players. It’s going to be kind of a slow process, but hopefully we’ll catch them up to speed, a few plays at a time as each week goes along. ... These guys are very intensive and smart. I don’t think they’ll have any problem picking things up.”
First injury report of the week is below. Good news that Garrett Wilson and Kiko back in limited action. The bye week has allowed the Jets to get healthy and it appears we don’t have too many concerns for Sunday.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM ADONAI “AD” MITCHELL
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