The Jets will also be getting a receiver in their deal with the Colts for cornerback Sauce Gardner.
According to multiple reports, AD Mitchell is being traded to New York to complete the deal.
That means in all, the Jets will receive Indianapolis’ first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 plus Mitchell, in exchange for Gardner.
A second-round pick in 2024, Mitchell had not caught on as a productive player with the Colts. After making 23 receptions for 312 yards as a rookie last year, he looked like he was having a breakout game in Week 4 against the Rams. But Mitchell infamously dropped the ball just before reaching the end zone for a touchdown, with the ball going out of the end zone for a touchback.
Since then, Mitchell had played only single-digit snaps in four games, making a total of two receptions for a total of 15 yards.
In all, Mitchell has nine catches for 152 yards this season.
The Colts have added even more horseradish to the shrimp cocktail.
In a stunning move, the Jets have traded cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts. Per multiple reports, the Colts will send two first-round picks to the Jets for Gardner.
Said Gardner on Twitter: “New York it’s been real.”
The fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, Gardner became a first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. Last year wasn’t as good. This year, the Jets decided to sell high.
The message from the new regime in New York is clear. They didn’t view Gardner as untouchable, even though they gave him a new contract in the offseason. For a pair of first-round picks from a team that likely will be picking low (at least in 2026), the Jets pulled the trigger.
Gardner suffered a concussion during a Week 7 loss to the Panthers. He missed the Week 8 win over the Bengals. If cleared, he’ll be boarding a plane for Germany and making his debut against the Falcons.
After the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Patriots, running back Quinshon Judkins was considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury.
But reporters on the scene noted Judkins was on the field for Cleveland’s practice on Monday. After the session, head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if he feels confident Judkins’ shoulder won’t be an issue for the Week 10 matchup with the Jets.
“Yeah, I do,” Stefanski said. “I feel good about it.”
That’s good news for a Cleveland offense that has struggled throughout 2025. Judkins leads the team with 486 yards rushing and five touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He’s also caught 12 passes for 60 yards.
Judkins and the rest of the offensive unit will have a new play-caller in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees this week.
For the second year in a row, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is giving up play-calling to his offensive coordinator.
Coming out of the bye, Stefanski announced in his Monday press conference that Tommy Rees will take over offensive play-calling moving forward.
“These are things that I’m always looking at — what can we do better,” Stefanski said of his decision, via Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald. “I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy. He’s more than capable, so excited for him. But, bottom line is, we have to just get better collectively — so that’s offense, that’s defense, that’s special teams, that’s players, that’s coaching. So, that’s our charge and that’s what we’re working hard to do.”
Stefanski said the bye week allowed him to look at things, and he felt like Rees gives the offense a good chance to improve.
“I just felt like it was the right time for this,” Stefanski said. “It’s never about one person, whether you talk about a player or a coach. But, obviously, I think Tommy’s going to be himself and that’s what I’m asking him to do. I’ll be there every step of the way to help him in any way I can — like you should with any play-caller. But, bottom line is, he understands what we need to do, which is stay on the field and score some points.”
The quarterback will remain the same, so rookie Dillon Gabriel is set to make his fifth start when the Browns play the Jets on Sunday.
Stefanski had been Cleveland’s offensive play-caller since he was hired in 2020 until he gave that role up to former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey midway through the 2024 season. Stefanski took the role back for 2025 after promoting Rees to OC during the offseason.
Rees, 33, played quarterback at Notre Dame before getting into coaching. He was the QBs coach and offensive coordinator for his Alma Mater before serving as OC and QBs coach under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2023. He joined the Browns’ staff in 2024 as a pass game specialist and tight ends coach.
The Jets are off this weekend. Their front office is working.
Per a league source, the Jets are getting plenty of calls in advance of Tuesday’s trade deadline. They do not, however, intend to have a fire sale.
Most of the calls have focused on defensive lineman Micheal Clemons, pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, and running back Breece Hall.
Both Clemons and Hall are in the final year of their contract. Johnson is signed through 2027, with a $13.4 million fifth-year option on his 2022 first-round contract.
The Jets are 1-7. They picked up their first win over the season last weekend at Cincinnati. They host the Browns next weekend.
