\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not Justin Fields, Breece Hall, or even Garrett Wilson. Aaron Glenn? Not even close.<\/p>\n
The most important individual in the entire New York Jets franchise is Darren Mougey.<\/p>\n
Under his direction over the next two years, the Jets will either launch a new era of success or get stuck trying to make a U-turn.<\/p>\n
He turned his weekly \u201ctrade value\u201d meetings into a trove of draft picks<\/a>, accepting offers \u201cwe felt were too good for the team with Sauce and Quinnen.\u201d<\/p>\n Sauce is Sauce Gardner, who was shipped to the Colts months after signing a four-year contract worth $120.4 million. Indianapolis gave up two first-round draft picks in return.<\/p>\n Mougey said Gardner\u2019s deal was intentionally structured to be tradeable.<\/p>\n He wouldn\u2019t say whether Williams formally requested a trade, confirm Jerry Jones\u2019 assertion that he nearly got Williams for Micah Parsons in August, or disclose whether Williams did or didn\u2019t request a new contract by training camp 2026.<\/p>\n With no franchise quarterback in the picture and new holes created by sending a top-flight cornerback and anchor defensive tackle out of town, how are the Jets better than they were last week?<\/p>\n The answer is simple: they\u2019re not.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is always to win,\u201d Mougey said. \u201cThese coaches work too hard. That\u2019s what the fans deserve. That\u2019s what the players deserve. That never changes.\u201d<\/p>\n