Like many former Jets, Wayne Chrebet was surprised when Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were both traded.
However, Chrebet remains confident that Jets coach Aaron Glenn, who was his teammate for seven seasons, can draft and sign the right players to turn around a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
“You got three lottery tickets there with the first round picks,” Chrebet, on behalf of DraftKings, told the Daily News about the compensation the Jets received for Gardner and Williams. “You gotta remember, AG started as a scout. He’s had every job at the NFL level, so he can probably evaluate talent better than just a regular coach, having scouted all over the country.
“And [GM Darren] Mougey, I think it was an A-plus, plus with those two trades. Even some of the guys who are Jets haters on different stations have admitted, ‘Wow, they really got a king’s ransom.’ Don’t be surprised, they are going to do more of that coming up in the next seasons.”
Gardner was traded to the Colts for two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Williams was dealt to the Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. While these moves can be viewed as the Jets waiving the white flag on the season and looking towards the future, Mougey says this is not a “teardown.”
Chrebet and Glenn arrived with the franchise around the same time and both experienced highs and lows with Gang Green. Glenn was drafted in 1994 out of Texas A&M. In 1995, Chrebet signed as an undrafted wide receiver free agent out of Hofstra, which at the time was the Jets training facility.
They were both part of the 1996 squad which finished 1–15, the worst record in franchise history.
That resulted in the Jets hiring Bill Parcells as coach. Under the Big Tuna, the Jets remarkably finished 9-7 in his first season as coach. Then in 1998, Parcells led the Jets to a 12-4 record and an AFC title game appearance before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos.
Glenn started his coaching tenure 0-7 before winning their past two games against the Browns and Bengals. Throughout the slow start, Glenn has been criticized for coaching blunders and for refusing to tell the media who the starting quarterback will be on a week-to-week basis.
“He told me, ‘I know that I’m going to be criticized if we come out slow and I’m going to hear it from the New York media,” Chrebet said. “He said, in spite of that, ‘I’m ready for it. We’re going to turn this thing around.’
“It’s not going to be quick and it’s a big boat to steer, but slowly, you can see [players] buying in and trying to change the culture. I just think the mentality he’s bringing is kind of changing now, and I think that’s something positive to look forward to.”
Glenn’s decision to remain with Justin Fields as the Jets’ starting quarterback has also been panned by fans and even the team’s owner.
Fields was awful in the victory against the Browns. He completed 6-of-11 passes for 54 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Breece Hall was responsible for 42 of Fields’ passing yards on his fourth-quarter touchdown reception.
During his eight starts this season, Fields’ accuracy has been inconsistent and he has held the ball too long inside the pocket. Glenn benched Fields at halftime of the Jets’ Week 7 loss to the Panthers. However, Fields has remained the starting quarterback the past two weeks even after owner Woody Johnson blamed him for the team’s record.
Chrebet believes Fields is a talented quarterback, but the writing is on the wall, especially after the Jets acquired an additional three first-round picks after trading Gardner and Williams.
“I don’t think he’s the future for us and I think he knows it,” Chrebet said. “I think everybody knows it.
“Obviously, we’re going to be looking at the draft. There are a couple of good players coming out, but we have options. With all those picks, you don’t know if you package them for a quarterback that’s already in the league, that’s young and at the top of their game. Quarterback is the most important thing, but at least they have options on which they can go with the draft picks.”
MOURNING MANGOLD
Those around the Jets organization have had heavy hearts recently after former center Nick Mangold died at 41 from complications of kidney disease nearly three weeks ago. He played 11 seasons for the Jets and was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro twice.
Mangold was honored before last Sunday’s game against the Jets. Fans were given Mangold shirts upon entering MetLife Stadium.
Players and others within the Jets organization also wore Black T-shirts that had Mangold’s image on the front and “A True Jet” written on the back, along with his No. 74. Mangold’s widow, Jennifer, and their four children were also on the field for the ceremony and served as honorary captains for the coin toss.
Days before his death, Mangold became one of 52 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
“I’m like, this can’t be real,” Chrebet said about learning about Mangold’s death. “What he meant to the organization as a player and the fan base. When you think of Jets, you think of him. When you think of Jets toughness, you think of him.
“So they are going to play for Nick and he will always be in our hearts. I hope that he makes the Hall of Fame this year. I hope they retire his number because he meant a lot to us, and he will be missed.”
