Why the New York Jets might opt against a fire sale before NFL's trade deadline

With two weeks to go before the NFL trading deadline, the New York Jets have every reason to sell. They are 0-6 and on pace to be one of the worst teams in NFL history. 

They made two moves within the past week that did not help them in the now: general manager Joe Douglas released Le’Veon Bell last week and traded veteran Steve McLendon after Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins.

But as they careen toward their 10th straight season of missing the playoffs, coach Adam Gase said on Monday that they’re not in the midst of a fire sale. And he’s probably right. 

The Jets would probably like to have a massive sell-off, but they don’t have enough talent on the roster to do that. Perhaps one of their bigger names gets moved in the coming weeks, or another veteran lands where he can contribute now. 

Even the move for McLendon won’t help the Jets much in the future — they received a 2022 sixth round pick and a 2023 seventh round pick. 

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But Gase said it was more about doing right by McLendon, who is late in his career and trying to win.  

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“We just felt like this was the right thing to do,” Gase said. “It was an opportunity for him to go to compete at a place that is challenging to get in the playoffs. I know it wasn’t an ideal situation for him as far as leaving this group, he’s put so much into this team and he was a great leader for us. It does give our young guys more opportunities, but it was just kind of one of those things where both sides thought it was the best thing to do.”

The Jets have developed a bit of a reputation under Douglas and Gase as a team that has a bit of a disconnect with its players — the public spats with Jamal Adams and Le’Veon Bell. And there’s some concern that might scare potential free agents away.

There’s good reason for that concern, but player-friendly moves like releasing Bell, allowing him to find a spot with a contender, and sending McLendon to Tampa for a reunion with his former coach Todd Bowles will also help them. 

Even their bitter dispute with Adams ended with the Pro Bowler getting traded to a team he had asked to be traded to.

So while there might not be a fire sale in the coming weeks, the Jets are still in decent position as they tear this thing down to the studs. Gase will almost certainly be replaced as coach, allowing the Jets to pitch a fresh start to their fans and potential new players who are joining the team. 

And Douglas will head into the offseason with a ton of cap space and high draft picks. He just might not be able to add much to that stash in the coming weeks.