The Jets are holding out at the NFL trade deadline after Dalvin Cook speculation

NFL

from Brian Costello

After weeks of talk and speculation, the Jets finally had a quiet trade day on Tuesday.

The Jets didn’t trade any of their players or acquire anyone in a trade, letting the deadline pass.

Not because general manager Joe Douglas didn’t try.

Douglas inquired about wide receivers Davante Adams and Mike Evans, but the Raiders and Buccaneers didn’t want to trade them.

Douglas also looked for help on the offensive line, but couldn’t find anything that worked.

“There’s got to be buyers, there’s got to be sellers,” Douglas said shortly after Tuesday’s deadline. “We made a lot of inquiries and had a lot of discussions about a lot of different positions, but in the end we were unable to close any other deals. This is where we are.’

The Jets are 4-3 and in the AFC playoff hunt.

Despite the loss of Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, the Jets were able to save their season and are riding a three-game winning streak.

It’s clear the offense could use an upgrade, but the Jets couldn’t find one.

The Jets have made repeated inquiries about Evans and Adams, according to sources, but have been told neither is available.

The Raiders were willing to trade Hunter Renfrow, but the Jets were more interested in adding an outside receiver than a slot receiver, especially since Renfrow made $11 million this season.

The Jets also need help on the offensive line after losing center Connor McGovern (knee) and guard Wes Schweitzer (calf) to injured reserve this week.

But there weren’t many linemen. The Vikings traded guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick.

A source said the Jets did talk to the Vikings about Cleveland but felt he wasn’t a good fit for their style of play.

Minnesota beat Cleveland a few weeks ago, so no one should act like the Jets missed a sure thing.

“I’m not going to get into specific conversations, but I will say we’ve had a lot of conversations with a lot of teams about a lot of players at a lot of different positions,” Douglas said when asked about Cleveland. “In the end, in the end, we did what we thought was best for the team. We’re excited about the guys we have.”

The Jets added one offensive lineman, but not via trade.

They signed veteran Roger Saffold to the practice squad with the intention of moving him to the active roster at some point.

Saffold was a Pro Bowl alternate last year after starting the entire season for the Bills. He played for Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter at Tennessee.

“Roger is an experienced guy who has played a lot of games,” Douglas said. “Tough, smart. He knows Keith Carter well, having been with him in Tennessee. He is the exact type of person, competitor, mental make-up, stamina that we are looking for to add to the group. I think he will be a really good signing for us.”

In terms of trades, the two players the Jets were willing to move were defensive end Carl Lawson and running back Dalvin Cook.

Neither played much, and both expressed frustration with their limited roles. However, the Jets could not find interested buyers with the money both players are still owed.

“We’ve had conversations with a lot of teams,” Douglas said. “At the end of the day, we did what we thought was best for the team. These guys are great teammates and great players. I have a feeling we’re going to need these guys a lot all the time. They are assets to the team and we’re glad they’re here.”

Douglas touched on something unrelated to trade.

He said the team has been in talks to extend tight end Bryce Huff, who is scheduled to be a free agent in March.

“There have been some informal conversations with representatives of Bryce,” Douglas said. “They are developing in a positive direction. There is still a long way to go. Bryce is another, not to pontificate, but it’s an incredible player development story. For him to come in as an undrafted free agent and just work and work and get better every day. I think over the last two years you’ve really been able to see a huge progression for him. Everyone is excited about Bryce.”n and Jason Brownlee on Sunday and promoted Malik Taylor from the practice squad with Randall Cobb sidelined with a shoulder injury.