Man… this is a post I’ve been waiting to do. After 48 hours, I can finally let the emotions settle and write about it. The NFL Trade Deadline really had me broken on Tuesday.

My favorite player got traded away — Sauce Gardner.

Sauce has been my guy since day one. I was so hyped when the Jets drafted him — he was the player I wanted all along. I had already become a fan of his back at Cincinnati, and that fandom only grew once he put on that green and white.

When I saw the news, I was on my way home from work, and honestly, it felt like getting broken up with by my girl. I was hurt. I haven’t had a favorite Jets player like this in a long, long time. I wish the team hadn’t done it, but I get it — Indy came swinging, and when you’re sitting at 1–7, it’s hard to say no to a big offer.

Now, I understand the logic, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Personally, I would’ve kept Sauce and traded our first-round pick at draft time for a haul to go get a quarterback next year. But hey — I don’t get paid to make those decisions. I just hope this all works out. If it doesn’t, though… I’ll never let them live it down.

Heading into the deadline, I really thought Sauce and Garrett Wilson (G5) were the only untouchables. I guess I was only half right.

As for Quinnen Williams, I get that move too. He requested a trade three times but stayed professional about it. By keeping things quiet, the Jets were able to get a better deal. I would’ve loved for them to keep him — he’s been here seven years and never got to play meaningful football, even though he’s an incredible player. Dallas is getting a monster, and I wish him nothing but success.

Now, on the return side — I’ve been a fan of AD Mitchell since college and actually wanted the Jets to draft him. I just didn’t want to get him this way. But it is what it is. He’ll finally get a real opportunity here that he wasn’t getting in Indy. It’ll be interesting to see how he and John Metchie III fit in this offense. Obviously, G5 is our #1 guy, but there’s room for playmakers to step up. I think both Mitchell and Metchie can contribute — but hey, what do I know? I could be totally wrong.

Hopefully, the draft capital turns into something meaningful — maybe some successful picks, or even a franchise quarterback (though I’m not holding my breath). I definitely didn’t think Sauce was going to get dealt, so at this point, anything can happen.

It’ll be interesting to see how Mougey handles the offense and this rebuild moving forward. Hopefully, it’s a quickrebuild, because man… I’m tired of rebuilds.

– Jett Garden