The NFL trade deadline arrives next Tuesday and the Jets may have a decision to make.
The worst they can come out of this weekend is .500. Do they think they’re a player away from contending for a playoff spot?
The name that has been thrown around the most as being rumored to be on the block is Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon. He would fit a huge need for the Jets, so you have to think they are somewhat interested. The 22-year-old has two years left on his contract at a low price and he has 27 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns this season.
But general manager John Idzik should stay away from trades. This Jets team is not a “win now” team. Despite its surprising 4-3 record, no one is thinking of this team as a Super Bowl contender. The cost for Gordon would be at least a high pick in next year’s draft and probably more. Idzik needs to hold onto all of his draft picks to fill several needs next year, not one right now.
Gordon is also one strike away from a season-long suspension if he violates the NFL’s substance-abuse policy again.
The Jets are going to have a ton of cap space and a bunch of draft picks (they have the Buccaneers’ third-rounder and should get a few compensatory picks) to play with next year. Idzik and the Jets should ride this year out with what they have and not give up any of those 2014 chips.