Jets GM Mougey says trades of Gardner, Williams not ‘teardown’

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey apologized to reporters for being hoarse Tuesday, saying it was because he talked a lot. And treat.

On a pivotal day for the franchise, Mougey traded defensive cornerstones Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in separate blockbusters, essentially shifting the focus to 2026 and beyond.

“I wouldn’t call it a takedown,” Mougey said about two hours after the NFL trade deadline.

The Jets are 1-7 and looking at their 15th straight season without a playoff, the longest active drought in the league. Mougey, in his first season, said they wouldn’t give up on 2025.

“The goal is always to win,” he said. “Listen, these coaches and these players work too hard every day, all day, in order to win on Sunday. And that never changes because that’s what the fans deserve. That’s what the players deserve, that’s what the coaches deserve, and that never changes.”

Nevertheless, the exchanges were breathtaking.

The Jets traded Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. They dealt Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. According to ESPN Research, the Jets became the first team in the joint draft era (since 1967) to make multiple in-season trades to acquire a first-round pick.

The Gardner deal was particularly surprising, considering he signed a four-year, $120 million extension in July. What has changed?

“Indianapolis kept adding to its value, and ultimately it was too good to pass up,” Mougey said, adding that discussions have intensified in recent days.

The Jets were not actively looking to trade Gardner, sources said. They structured his contract to make it negotiable: a manageable amount of initial money, with ongoing guarantees. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson’s four-year, $130 million extension — also signed in July — was designed the same way.

“You never know how the future is going to play out, and we always wanted to be able to potentially exchange these contracts… [in] In case you find yourself in a situation where the value you think is just too good to pass up,” Mougey said. “And that turned out to be the case here.”

The Williams deal was completed more quickly than the Gardner deal. Williams, a three-time Pro Bowl tackle, was unhappy with the direction of the franchise, sources said. Mougey declined to say whether Williams had requested a trade, adding: “I’m not here to talk about rumors and different things.”

Mougey said Williams’ contract was not a factor in the decision. Williams is signed through 2027, although he has $5 million left in guarantees and there was speculation that he was going to demand a new deal.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a September radio interview that he offered pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Jets in a deal that included Williams.

“I will keep all those conversations I had with the other teams private, but they went well and it was good value for us,” Mougey said.

In the span of a week, the Jets traded away three defensive stalwarts – Gardner, Williams and nickel back Michael Carter II, all 28 or younger. Gardner and Williams combined for five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections.

The upside is the Jets have two first-round picks in 2026 and three in 2027. Mougey says he’s “excited” to have that flexibility.

The Jets held trade talks involving running back Breece Hall and running back Jermaine Johnson, sources said, but decided to keep them.

Hall will be a free agent after the season. Mougey declined to say whether the Jets wanted to sign him.

“Through these processes, we talk about a lot of things and we answer a lot of calls and we have values, and Breece is a talented player,” Mougey said. “He’s going to help us compete and win games for the rest of the season.”