This Jets Quincy Williams-Jauan Jennings trade package is more genius than crazy

The New York Jets may have finally found a way to chalk one up in the win column after Aaron Glenn's team took down the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8 by the skin of their teeth. Unfortunately, this team is still destined to sell at the NFL trade deadline.

Rather than just selling everyone they can to get as many cracks at the 2026 NFL Draft as possible, why can't the Jets try to trade a player who might leave in free agency for another player who could also hit the open market, all while both sides work a deal out with their new acquisitions?

An opportunity might present itself if the Jets trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Robert Saleh's defense needs a speedy linebacker, and the Jets have Quincy Williams. Tanner Engstrand's offense needs a WR2, and the 49ers aren't paying Jauan Jennings what he wants. Could a one-for-one swap actually be in the cards?

Jets may need to consider Quincy Williams for Jauan Jennings trade

Jennings has wanted a new contract for quite some time, and he is scheduled to hit free agency in the coming months. Why not beat everyone else to the punch and ensure that they can pair Garrett Wilson with the best non-Davante Adams wide receiver he's ever suited up with in his career?

Jennings might be a bit of a one-year wonder, as he has just one season with more than 500 yards receiving, but he was one of San Francisco's most clutch playmakers. Even without gaudy production, you don't earn a nickname like "3rd and Jauan" without being a reliable target over the middle.

The 6-3, 215-pound Jennings will not only fit in well on a Jets team that wants to run the ball as much as possible, but the stylistic contrast between him, the elusive separator Wilson, and the mad bombing speedster in Arian Smith could make for a very diverse passing game in the 2026 season.

San Francisco, meanwhile, gets both a Fred Warner replacement and eventual running mate who had his best professional seasons in Saleh's scheme. Williams could get a contract extension that the Jets might not be able to afford, as they appear to be too tied up with Jamien Sherwood's deal.

The 49ers need a player like Williams to complete their defense, and Jennings may be the best available WR2 target for whoever ends up as the Jets' 2026 quarterback. If extensions can be hammered out, both teams could lock in playmakers before free agency clouds the picture.