Christian Hackenberg trade ends with nothing in return

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 31: Christian Hackenberg #5 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 31: Christian Hackenberg #5 of the New York Jets warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets were lucky to find a trade partner that was willing to take another chance on quarterback Christian Hackenberg this offseason. Unfortunately for them, this trade ended up with nothing in return.

When the New York Jets traded quarterback Christian Hackenberg to the Oakland Raiders this offseason, it was viewed as a positive move for both teams. The Jets, fresh off of drafting quarterback Sam Darnold in the 2018 NFL Draft, wanted to get rid of Hackenberg to focus on the future.

The Raiders, who only had to give up a 7th Round 2019 NFL Draft pick for Hackenberg, were getting a player that had promise but was never given a real shot to prove he can play football. Unfortunately for everyone involved, this transaction didn’t even last until the start of training camp for both respective teams.

As per Rich Cimini of ESPN, he confirmed that the Raiders released Hackenberg from their roster with head coach Jon Gruden claiming they had other areas of need that had to be filled. Gruden needed Hackenberg’s spot on the roster towards depth on the Raiders defensive line. At first, Gruden was excited to bring such a raw prospect to the team but ultimately decided to head in a different direction for the overall benefit of the team.

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Needless to say, with Hackenberg clearing waivers and effectively being a free agent for the first time in his young career, this trade ended up getting nothing in return for the Jets. In order for them to acquire that 7th Round pick of next year’s draft, Hackenberg would have at least needed to make it towards the regular season and actually stick around.

This entire situation ultimately falls back on the Jets for drafting a player that many draft gurus and analysts labeled as a huge reach for the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. General manager Mike Maccagnan would probably love to get a mulligan for this pick since on all accounts, Hackenberg will be remembered as being yet another draft bust by the Jets.

It’s sad that Hackenberg will be remembered in such a manner but at the end of the day, it is what it is. The Jets get nothing back in return for trading Hackenberg and well, will continue to move forward and put drafting him so high as nothing more than a bad decision.