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The New England Patriots sit atop the AFC East with the season winding down, focused on playoff positioning and making a run.
While the Patriots and Buffalo Bills start thinking about the playoffs, the two other teams in the division, the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, are already thinking about their future. The Jets had a busy offseason, but they have endured a disappointing season and still do not have an answer at quarterback for the future.
Until that changes, they are not a real threat to the Patriots’ quest for dominance in the division, with Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel. They could look to trade for a franchise quarterback, as they have talent elsewhere on the roster. In Tarringo Basile-vaughan’s latest mock draft for FanSided, he proposed this trade to bring Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens to the Jets:
- Ravens receive: 2026 No. 4 overall pick, 2026 second round pick and 2027 first-round pick
- Jets receive: QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson is one of the best players in the NFL, but after a down year, dealing with injuries, the Ravens are in danger of missing the playoffs. Jackson is a two-time MVP, but the Ravens have failed to get the job done in the playoffs.
The Ravens have shown no indications of making any drastic changes or moving Jackson. However, he has a $74 million cap hit next season, and the Ravens could consider shaking things up.
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Trading Jackson would initiate a rebuild in Baltimore, but would instantly make the Jets a threat to the Patriots. They already have an elite pass catcher in Garrett Wilson and an elite running back in Breece Hall.
The Jets have a haul of picks after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, so a blockbuster trade would make sense. However, the Ravens would have to be ready to move on from Jackson.
Ultimately, the Ravens have shown no signs of wanting to rebuild with a new quarterback. Players like Jackson are not easy to find. The reality is, the Ravens will likely have to do some cap maneuvering, but are unlikely to move on from Jackson.
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