NY Jets considered one of the biggest winners of free agency

The NY Jets have long been considered the kings of the offseason. It seems as though every year, the Jets are praised for the moves they make during the months when no NFL football is being played.

Despite this, their strong track record of offseason success hasn't exactly produced results come the regular season. They're hoping that changes this year.

That's because Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano recently graded all 16 AFC teams on their performance in free agency, and the Jets received the highest grade among all teams in their conference.

Manzano handed the Jets an 'A' grade, largely due to the team's expected trade for Aaron Rodgers. The only other AFC team to receive an 'A' grade was actually the Jets' AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins.

Both the Jets and Dolphins received high grades for respective trades that they made or will make. Miami was praised for their acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, while the Jets received a high grade due to their eventual trade for Rodgers.

"Everyone is tired of waiting. Let’s just assume Rodgers will play for the Jets, and whenever the trade with the Packers occurs, they’ll be one of the biggest winners of free agency. The Jets added a versatile and familiar wideout for Rodgers with the signing of Lazard. They shipped Moore to Cleveland, but gained a speedy receiver in Hardman."

- Gilberto Manzano

The Aaron Rodgers trade makes the NY Jets offseason a success

Like Manzano, let's just assume the Rodgers trade happens — which it will. There is no other logical outcome for the Jets, Green Bay Packers, and Rodgers himself. It's going to happen.

With that in mind, it's hard not to consider the Jets' offseason a success. They went into the offseason looking to land a quarterback that could help take them to the next level and compete for not only the playoffs but the Super Bowl in 2023.

Rodgers is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and has won MVP in two of the last three seasons. Aside from an unlikely Lamar Jackson acquisition, Rodgers was the best quarterback the Jets could land.

Manzano also praised the Jets for their signings of wide receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman. The Jets might not even be done adding to their receiver room, with an Odell Beckham acquisition possibly looming.

You could argue that the Jets haven't adequately addressed positions like offensive line, defensive tackle, and safety, but the Rodgers trade is what really matters. That's what makes the Jets contenders.

And that's why their grade is as high as it is. The Jets are one of the biggest winners of free agency for a move that hasn't even officially happened yet.