Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams have been involved in significant trade deals, with Gardner moving from the New York Jets to the Indianapolis Colts and Williams heading to the Dallas Cowboys. The Jets are looking to revamp their roster, aiming to break their longstanding playoff drought.
Gardner, a standout cornerback, is now a part of the Colts after the Jets agreed to trade him for two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. In return, the Jets receive the Colts’ first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Williams, a prominent defensive player, is now with the Cowboys in exchange for a second-round pick in 2026, a first-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The Jets also acquired a pair of first-round picks when they traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers earlier in the season. The Cowboys, who have struggled defensively, are making moves to strengthen their roster before the NFL trade deadline.
In other trade news on the busy deadline day, there were several player moves across different teams. The Cowboys acquired linebacker Logan Wilson, the Jacksonville Jaguars obtained wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, and the Seattle Seahawks added wideout Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.
Gardner, who signed a lucrative contract extension with the Jets in July, joins the AFC South-leading Colts, while Williams, a seasoned Pro Bowl player, brings his talent to the Cowboys. Additionally, Shaheed transitions from the struggling Saints to the Seahawks, providing more options for their offense.
The Eagles, aiming for a repeat Super Bowl win, have been active in acquiring defensive players like Jaelan Phillips, Michael Carter II, and Jaire Alexander. The Baltimore Ravens also made a move by adding Dre’Mont Jones to bolster their defense.
Various trades have taken place leading up to the deadline, including acquisitions by teams like the Bengals, Rams, 49ers, Steelers, Jaguars, Browns, and Chargers. These trades aim to enhance the rosters of the respective teams as they navigate the NFL season.