The New York Jets have training camp slated to kick off fairly soon. While they revamped the defense through free agency and the draft, they still have some holes on the roster.
Depth at linebacker looks like one of the biggest needs, and former head coach Robert Saleh could help them in the area. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton released an article discussing one trade every team should consider.
For the Titans, he named linebacker Cody Barton, and based on the need in New York, they should call up their former coach to see if they can hammer out a deal.
Jets have a golden opportunity thanks to Robert Saleh connection
And it wouldn't be unfamiliar territory between these two organizations. Last season, the Jets acquired cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. from the Titans for a sixth-round pick. Meanwhile, earlier in the offseason, New York sent edge Jermaine Johnson II to Tennessee for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat.
They have built rapport, making the idea of trading for Barton more likely. New York will enter the season with Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood as their starters at linebacker, but there are some questions.
Sherwood had an underwhelming season in 2025 after getting his extension. And while Davis has aged flawlessly, he's still 37 years old. Kiko Mauigoa would be the first linebacker off the bench if someone were to go down, and that's less than ideal.
That's where Barton comes in and would improve that area of weakness for New York. Barton has been in the NFL for seven years, playing with the Seahawks, Commanders, Broncos, and Titans. Last season in Tennessee, he started in all 17 games, logging 81 total tackles, four TFLs, and three interceptions.
He has 112 career games and 60 starts under his belt. The Titans drafted linebacker Anthony Hill in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft. In Saleh's first draft, he used a top pick on Hill, indicating how highly he's viewed in that building. He can easily win that job and enter the lineup with Cedric Gray.
That means Barton could be disposable for the Titans, and New York should pounce. It wouldn't cost more than a late Day three pick to get him sent over. General manager Darren Mougey has consistently used late draft picks to acquire veterans, and he should consider this move.
Barton still has two years left on his contract, but if things don't pan out, he could get released, and the team would save $3.3 million, per Spotrac. While the Titans are on the Week 1 docket for New York, the Jets should call them and see what it takes to get Barton in town, as it would fill in a massive hole on the roster for the 2026 campaign.
