As the 4p.m. Eastern NFL trade deadline passed, the New York Jets didn’t make any significant deals for the second half of their season except to trade away Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some speculated that they should be buyers and add one more piece to the team as they attempt to comeback from the deep hole they dug themselves in to start the season.
I was of the belief that they should sell off as many of their assets as they could while they had the chance. But a decisive win over the Houston Texans on Halloween may have breathed false hope into this organization where they now believe an epic run through the second half of the season is coming.
The Jets chose to essentially stand pat apart from shipping Williams out of town. A decision I think they are going to regret, but the one they made, nonetheless.
But just because they deadline has passed without a significant addition, doesn’t mean the Jets can’t add one anyway. Especially along the defensive line.
The Cleveland Browns have released defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who was a big part of the Jets defensive line last season before he left the team in free agency this past offseason.
The #Browns are releasing veteran DT Quinton Jefferson, per sources. pic.twitter.com/rBLedEMw3E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 5, 2024
Jefferson, 31, signed with Cleveland on a one-year deal in March worth $4 million. He appeared in five games, recording six tackles and a sack. But he had been a healthy scratch for the last few weeks as the Browns continue to freefall out of contention in a very competitive AFC North.
A Seahawks fifth-round pick in 2016, Jefferson has played 108 games for Seattle, Buffalo, Las Vegas, New York, and Cleveland. He’s registered 27.5 career sacks in his career.
In 14 games with the Jets last season, Jefferson tallied 6.0 sacks with four tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. The Jets opted for Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu instead of bringing back Jefferson and the defense has paid the price for it. Kinlaw has been awful for the Jets this season creating almost no pressure and being a liability in the run game. Fotu has only been active for two games this season after dealing with an injury to start the year and heading back on IR following the loss to the Buffalo Bills with a knee injury.
Adding Jefferson is a no-brainer if this team really believes they can make a run at the post season despite being 3-6 midway through the season.
