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Jets staying in contention with massive James Robinson trade

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 16, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) runs the ball while Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) defends in the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson (25) runs the ball while Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) defends in the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the first three games of the 2022 NFL season, it certainly didn’t feel like the Jacksonville Jaguars would have any plans of moving on from running back James Robinson. Robinson racked up 263 total yards from scrimmage and four total touchdowns in the first three weeks of the season as the Jaguars went 2-1. Over the last four weeks, Robinson’s usage has gone down, and so have the Jaguars. They are losers of four straight and before their matchup against the Broncos in London, they made a trade with the New York Jets, sending Robinson to New York for draft compensation.

The Jets have been an ascending team this season, going 5-2 through the first seven weeks of the season with aims of beating the Patriots in Week 8 action. The Jets made this trade after devastating news that star rookie running back Breece Hall went down against Denver with a knee injury that will cost him the rest of 2022.

New York Jets replace Breece Hall with James Robinson

The New York Jets and general manager Joe Douglas aren’t messing around. The loss of Hall is horrendous, but the Jets aren’t just going to sit around and say next man up. No, they were proactive, they went out and got a back that can really help them, and they’re taking very seriously their chance to compete in the AFC East this season, if not for a division title (because of the Bills) then definitely a Wild Card playoff spot.

Not to overstate what Robinson brings to the table, but the Jets getting a back of his caliber for the price they did is rather shocking at this point. The Jaguars might be somewhat of sellers at this year’s trade deadline based on the fact they gave up a good back for a sixth-round pick. That price is obscenely low and it makes you wonder why a team like the Denver Broncos — who lost Javonte Williams for the entire season just a couple of weeks ago — didn’t try to make a similar deal.

It just goes to show that being proactive and throwing an offer out on a player who can help you never hurts. The Jaguars are apparently happy with Travis Etienne’s role increasing substantially as he continues to take on more and more of a workload. For the time being, the Jets are getting a 24-year-old back who is under team control next year as a restricted free agent. Robinson will almost undoubtedly be with the team next season along with Michael Carter and Breece Hall coming back from injury.

Joe Douglas has had to take a ton of major steps to make sure Zach Wilson is properly surrounded, as well as to make sure his roster is equipped for a big run this season. Robert Saleh’s defense will need to continue to do the heavy lifting for this team, but Douglas isn’t messing around with a playoff chance. This is an outstanding, potentially season-saving trade.

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