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New York Jets: Trader Mike At It Again

By Russell S. Baxter

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady (78) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady (78) against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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An unexpected retirement may have caught a lot of teams off-guard. But the New York Jets simply found a new left tackle.

This past season, the much-maligned New York Jets more than doubled their wins from the previous season. A dismal 4-12 club under then-head coach Rex Ryan turned into a 10-6 campaign under the guidance of Todd Bowles.

The 2014 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year with the Arizona Cardinals nearly got the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, when the franchise came within a victory of Super Bowl XLV.

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But another new addition to the organization proved to have the magic touch as well. Last offseason, general manager Mike Maccagnan was busy adding talent via free agency. But he also orchestrated two deals to bring in a pair of veterans who made huge contributions.

May 8, 2015; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan (left) and head coach Todd Bowles watch rookie minicamp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2015; Florham Park, NY, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan (left) and head coach Todd Bowles watch rookie minicamp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Why the revisionist history? That’s because the Jets have just acquired four-time Pro Bowl tackle Ryan Clady from the Denver Broncos. The move came basically a day after veteran D’Brickashaw Ferguson announced his retirement after 10 seasons. Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported that New York sent a fifth-round pick to the defending Super Bowl champions for Clady and a seventh-round selection in April.

The Jets are replacing a star left tackle who never missed a game in 10 years with a performer who was lost after two games in 2013 with a Lisfranc injury and all of ’15 with a torn ACL. But if Clady can stay on its cleats, he’s a big-time pickup at a reasonable price.

Last offseason, Maccagnan struck gold twice with trades. The Jets acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall and a seventh-round pick in 2015 from the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round selection last year. The club also picked up veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for a sixth-round selection last April, details courtesy of Spotrac.

The former totaled 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 scores. The journeyman Fitzpatrick threw for a career-best 3,905 yards and set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes.

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Marshall, who’s been quite vocal in terms of the Jets re-signing Fitzpatrick (who remains a free agent), couldn’t hide his enthusiasm (via Instagram) for being reunited with Clady, a former teammate in Denver.

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This is an already-talented New York team that once (or if) Fitzpatrick re-signs will indeed push the New England Patriots in the AFC East. And the general manager deserves a ton of credit.

Last April, the team drafted defensive lineman Leonard Williams despite the fact that the club was already deep at the position. With franchised defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson unsigned and nose tackle Damon Harrison now with the Giants the move looks smarter every day.

In March, the team lost AFC rushing leader Chris Ivory to the Jaguars. No problem. The club added running backs Matt Forte and Khiry Robinson.

Those additions and the trade for Clady are obviously significant. But getting a left tackle that could play for the teams for at least three to four years is huge.

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Maccagnan’s trades for Marshall and Fitzpatrick paid off in a big way. If those moves are any indication, the unsung executive has hit another home run when it comes to Clady.

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