JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The trade winds are blowing and they were felt inside the Jets locker room Sunday.
Defensive end Leonard Williams and wide receiver Robby Anderson have both heard their names in trade rumors this past week and both may have played their final games as Jets with the trade deadline coming Tuesday at 4 p.m.
“It’s a business,” Anderson said after finishing with four catches for 43 yards in the 29-15 loss to the Jaguars. “God forbid this was my last game as a Jet — it would be disappointing to go out like this.”
“My all has been to get us to the top, to the Super Bowl. Hopefully, I’m still here and I can continue to work on that. But I can’t call it.”
Anderson seems less likely to be traded than Williams. Both are scheduled to be free agents after the season, and at 1-6, general manager Joe Douglas surely has his eyes on 2020 and acquiring more draft picks. The Jets currently have six. The problem with trading Anderson is that would handcuff an already sputtering offense, since he is their best receiver.
Williams has been a disappointment in his time with the Jets and the team has depth along the defensive line if it decides to deal him. A source said the Jets are telling teams that they have already received offers with multiple picks. It appears they may just be waiting to see if they can get a better offer by Tuesday.
“I thought about it, obviously,” said Williams, who has zero sacks this season. “It’s something that’s being talked about, but at the same time, I can’t let it hinder my play on the field.”
“I can’t let it affect anything that I can control myself. It’s something that’s out of my control and it happens a lot more now in this league and you see trades occur way more often. I try to take my emotions out of it and let what happens happen.”
FOX reported the Giants could be interested in acquiring Williams.
QB Sam Darnold injured his left thumb in the second quarter when he fumbled the ball out of bounds. He had it taped up, but said it did not affect him. … CB Trumaine Johnson (ankle) and C Ryan Kalil (knee) both left with injuries. … DL Henry Anderson (shoulder) was a surprise inactive after being listed as questionable. … Coach Adam Gase did not have an update on LB C.J. Mosley, who missed the game with a groin injury. … James Burgess started at linebacker with Mosley and Neville Hewitt (neck) out. … The Jets ended a 30-game drought by scoring a touchdown on their first possession. They hadn’t done that since Oct. 29, 2017, against the Falcons.
For more on the Jets at the trade deadline, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast: