The New York Jets have already executed one significant in-season trade, and speculation about another one is growing.
Bradley Locker from Pro Football Focus suggested a couple of trades that could alter the NFL landscape, including a proposal for the Jets to pursue Tennessee Titans star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. While the Jets have performed decently in terms of sacks and pressure, their overall defensive performance is misleading, as they struggle with run defense and tackling consistency.
Pairing Quinnen Williams with another elite player like Simmons could enhance his performance this season, particularly since Javon Kinlaw doesn’t attract as much offensive line attention as Simmons would.
Currently, all six interior defenders behind Williams have run defense grades below 50.0, with Williams himself sitting at 55.1. The edge rushers haven’t been much better, although the recent return of Haason Reddick highlights a pressing need on the inside.
Simmons has been one of the league’s top defenders, earning All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2022, although his production dipped last year. This season, however, he’s rebounded significantly, achieving a career-high run defense grade of 80.3 and not missing a tackle yet.
At 27, he is under contract through 2027, but the Jets could potentially find ways to manage his salary if necessary.
While making two major trades mid-season is uncommon, the Jets are clearly focused on winning at all costs. Locker noted that with the Titans at 1-5, their first year under Brian Callahan isn’t going as planned. Despite offensive struggles, their defense ranks ninth in EPA per play, and it’s possible that Tennessee might consider trading Simmons as part of a rebuilding effort. The Jets have made their goal clear: they will do whatever it takes to succeed in 2024, even as their defensive line ranks among the league’s worst.