What would the NFL’s trade deadline be without some earth-shattering news that rocks the very foundation of the league?
Just hours before the clock runs out, the Indianapolis Colts successfully pulled off an all-in maneuver that drastically increases their chances of earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed. They acquired two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner from the New York Jets in exchange for two first-round picks (2026, 2027) and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Massive Trade Sparks Outrage in New York
The Jets and Colts couldn’t be on more opposite ends of the spectrum. The Colts are 7-2, tied with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos for the best record in the conference and are clear-cut favorites to earn homefield advantage in the postseason.
The Jets, meanwhile, have lost seven of their first eight games to begin the season under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. They’ve cycled through a rotation at quarterback between Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, and even after Fields was benched due to poor play, the Jets wanted to turn to Taylor. However, Taylor sustained an injury, forcing Fields to return under center.
It’s been chaos, discord and just about everything in between for the Jets in 2025 and fans aren’t too ecstatic. Of course, they haven’t had a reason to be happy with the organization in quite some time, but after trading arguably the most valuable asset on their roster in Gardner, pessimism has reached a new high.
On the flipside, the Jets will now have four first-round picks over the next two years. Still, that isn’t enough to fan the flames and fans are taking direct aim at ownership.
“Sell the team Woody Johnson, the fans deserve better than this,” one disgruntled fan wrote on X.
sell the team Woody Johnson, the fans deserve better than this.
— Dan Little (@Danlittle198505) November 4, 2025
“Sell the team for the love of god,” insisted another, even going as far as tagging owner Woody Johnson’s X account as well as the Jets’ team account. Another tagged Johnson as well, echoing the same sentiment to sell the team.
Sell the team for the love of god @woodyjohnson4 @nyjets
— Cip (@NickyCip22) November 4, 2025
One fan even requested that the Jets pack up their bags and move to London. “Move to London pleaseeeeee @woodyjohnson4 sell the damn team,” he wrote. The league does want to expand internationally, maybe that isn’t a terrible idea?
Move to London pleaseeeeee @woodyjohnson4 sell the damn team
— MiyagiCT (@JuliMiyagi) November 4, 2025
Another fan wants to pursue legal charges against Johnson.
Woody Johnson needs to be charged with treason
— J Remmy (@j_remmy347) November 4, 2025
At this point, some fans didn’t even need the trade to push them over the edge.
READ MORE: 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker
“Sell the team. Don’t let your kid touch it. Move to london. Wither away. I don’t even care about sauce,” this fan wrote, referring to Johnson’s teenage son, Brick. “Woody has to sell the team,” reiterated another fan.
@woodyjohnson4 sell the team. Don’t let your kid touch it. Move to london. Wither away. I don’t even care about sauce.
— Henny Moska (@brose1394) November 4, 2025
While all this outrage might be supported by many and condemned by some, there is a very practical reason behind Johnson’s move. As harsh as it sounds, we are halfway through the season, and the Jets cannot make it to the playoffs.
With that being said, it is a very practical approach to gear up for the coming years and accept defeat. All this outrage is like kicking a man who is already down. It wouldn’t improve the Jets’ chances even if Gardner were still in the team.