FLORHAM PARK — Another NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone and the New York Jets did not make any deals to improve the 2023 roster.
That doesn’t mean they didn’t try.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday evening, Jets general manager Joe Douglas summed up a relatively quiet deadline across the league with a simple response.
“It takes two to tango.”
New York’s front office leader later explained that while the team was involved in several conversations regarding several positions, the Jets felt it best to stand pact and work with the team currently in front of them.
“Ultimately we only did one trade with Mecole (Hardman) last week. We made a lot of inquiries but ultimately didn’t get any other deals done,” Douglas explained.
While no deadline moves were made, the Jets did help their weakest link on the roster going into the week of practice this week. New York announced they agreed to a free agent deal with two-time Pro Bowl guard Rodger Saffold III. Saffold is a 14-year NFL veteran and has experience at almost every position along the offensive line.
“He’s an experienced guy,” Douglas said of Saffold. “Tough, smart, knows (offensive line coach) Keith Carter well. The exact type of person that we’re looking for.”
Saffold joins an offensive line group that has been decimated with injuries over the last few weeks. Interior players Connor McGovern and Wes Schweitzer have been placed on IR while tackles Alijah Vera-Tucker and Duane Brown have both been placed on IR. AVT’s season is over while Brown is expected back shortly.
It’s the second straight year that the Jets have had to deal with a shuffle along the offensive line due to injuries. Second-round rookie Joe Tippmann is expected back over the next week or so, but there was a key reason why the team brought in a veteran like Saffold.
“The last few years have been hard,” Douglas explained. “We’ve gone through a lot of starting combinations…it’s a testament to Keith (Carter) and our entire staff for developing these players and getting them ready to play each Sunday.”
Douglas later stated that while a player like Ezra Cleveland was made available by the Minnesota Vikings (Cleveland was dealt to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick), he feels comfortable with who the Jets currently have on the roster.
“We did what we felt was best for the team and we’re excited about the guys we have.”
While a key problem facing the team for the remainder of the year, the offensive line wasn’t the only focus on the mind of the Jets’ GM on Tuesday.
On the potential return of Aaron Rodgers
Douglas turned some heads early in his press conference when he stated that expects Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to be back in 2023. Naturally, the veteran executive made sure to note that he wasn’t talking about his rehab from a torn Achilles, but merely about returning to everyday life inside the organization.
“I’m not going to put words in Aaron’s mouth. We’re excited to see him progress through his rehab. We’re taking everything day by day…I’m not putting anything out there. I don’t have any breaking news for you there.”
Rodgers went on the Pat McAfee show on Tuesday before Douglas spoke stating that while he is ahead of his overall recovery time, he won’t put a timeline on when he should be back on the field.
“The goal is to come back, & the goal is to be able to have that conversation,” Rodgers stated on the show. “Again, there’s still a lot that has to happen. Every week seems to be there’s a progression…We’re progressing so it’s really good. There’s still a long way to go & a lot of things have to happen, we obviously have to be still alive [& in contention], but God, I love the vibe on the team.”
So while Douglas may have gotten the fanbase excited about a potential return this season for their franchise quarterback, it seems that both sides are comfortable with the current progression he’s made so far.
On a potential Bryce Huff extension
A big question hovering around the team the last few weeks has been what the Jets would do along the defensive line. Veteran Carl Lawson has been a healthy scratch the last few weeks (three times this year) and was considered a player that could be moved at the deadline.
Douglas shot down those trade rumors quickly Tuesday while calling Lawson and fellow potential trade bait Dalvin Cook “assets to the team.”
“We talked to a lot of teams. Ultimately we did what we felt was best for the team. They are great teammates. I have a feeling we’re going to need those guys down the stretch,” Douglas said.
One of the reasons why a player like Lawson has been made expendable to most fans and analysts has been the improved play of Bryce Huff. Huff has a sack in each of the last three games and has led the entire league in pressure rates since 2022.
The issue at hand is that Huff, an undrafted free agent out of Memphis, is expected to be a free agent following the conclusion of this season if an extension is not signed with the Jets. Those conversations, according to Douglas, are currently underway.
“There’s been some informal conversations with Bryce’s reps,” Douglas explained. “They’re trending in a positive direction. Still a long way to go but Bryce is another player development story…you’ve been able to see a huge progression for him. Everyone is excited about Bryce.”
On remaining expectations for the 2023 team
At 4-3, many fans were surprised at the team’s lack of deadline moves this year. It was the second straight season where the team did not trade for a piece that they felt could help the roster immediately while they competed for a playoff race.
While a deal was not made this year, Douglas remained adamant that the expectations within the halls of 1 Jets Drive were not going to change anytime soon.
“Seven games in and we’re 4-3,” Douglas stated. “We’ve got a lot in front of us. Everything we do is in the here and now. We got a huge game Monday night against a really good team. We need to be ready and disciplined. We need to focus on the Chargers.”
