Jets could take a page from the book of Bill Belichick

The New York Jets need to learn a thing or two from Bill Belichick when it comes to player personnel decisions.

When it comes to problematic players, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick subscribes to the philosophy that it’s better to get rid of a player too early rather than too late.  The New York Jets should start doing the same.

When the Patriots traded linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns in October, the media went into a frenzy.  They questioned the move and wondered out loud if Belichick was showing signs that it was time to go.  Well, the Patriots won the Super Bowl, and that deal is probably not even remembered.

Belichick obviously saw something and moved Collins before it was too late to get value for him.  Obviously, the Jets didn’t do the same with defensive end Sheldon Richardson.

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They had two chances to move Richardson in 2016.  The second came before the trade deadline when they were working with the Dallas Cowboys, but they wouldn’t budge from their demands of a first round pick.

According to Kenneth Teape of The Empire Write Back:

The Jets tried to trade Richardson prior to the NFL Trade Deadline this past season and looked to have a taker in the Dallas Cowboys. But, the Jets were insistent on the Cowboys trading a first round pick for Richardson, which they balked at.

Clearly, by the trade deadline, Richardson’s stock had already plummeted.  However, they had another opportunity to move him.

They could’ve moved him last offseason.  His trade value would’ve been much higher at the time since he was coming off of two seasons in which he had 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, 101 tackles and an appearance in the Pro Bowl.

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Now the Jets are in a situation where they have to trade Richardson.  That’s not a good situation to be in because now the other teams have major leverage in negotiations. Hindsight is always 20/20, but this is a learning experience for general manager Mike Maccagnan.  Now, they may be in a situation where they get nothing in return for him.