The New York Jets are trending toward being one of the NFL’s most run-heavy offenses in 2025. Armed with one of the league’s top dual-threat quarterbacks in Justin Fields and a running back room loaded with talent, there’s no doubt that Gang Green will implement a ground-and-pound strategy this season.
Indeed, some of that rushing tendency will be out of necessity, as Garrett Wilson is the only real threat the Jets have at wide receiver. Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard are OK, but if the passing game is going to have any big plays, it’ll be up to Wilson to deliver them.
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Perhaps the identity of New York’s offense would change if they landed a top-tier complement to Wilson via trade, which is what was projected in a recent breakdown of the best trade matches for disgruntled Washington Commanders superstar Terry McLaurin.
Sources: #Commanders All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin has made it clear to the team that he’s frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal. As I previously reported, McLaurin unexpectedly left voluntary workouts after initially attending, and it remains to be seen whether… pic.twitter.com/5lUXbe8dxe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 5, 2025
McLaurin is entering the final year of his contract and recently left the Commanders’ voluntary workouts over frustration with the minimal talks between the team and his agent about a contract extension.
McLaurin totaled 82 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024 and would instantly flip the Jets offense to one with intriguing upside to a unit that could challenge the Buffalo Bills in any given week.
In the trade hypothetical pitched by Bleacher Report, the Jets would send the Commanders Breece Hall and a 2026 second-round pick for McClaurin, Austin Ekeler, and a 2026 fifth-rounder.
Sure, this deal would cost the Jets their top running back, but like McLaurin, Hall is in the final year of his deal and there’s been no indication that New York is interested in signing him to a long-term deal. With second-year RB Braelon Allen expected to receive a larger workload in 2025, New York might be willing to prioritize adding a wide receiver — a position of weakness right now — over running back — a position of strength.
“Theoretically, the Jets could alleviate one contract situation by sending out Hall in a trade,” Kristopher Knox wrote. “While Hall has been a quality starter for New York when healthy, the Jets added Wisconsin product Braelon Allen in last year’s draft. With Fields perfectly capable of augmenting the ground game, the Jets may have no interest in extending Hall with a top-of-the-market contract.”
You’d be hard-pressed to find a New York Jets fan who wouldn’t be all for a trade like this, especially with the higher value placed on wide receivers over running backs right now. And while Hall has flashed superstar potential, if the Jets aren’t willing to commit to him as their unquestioned featured back, they should ship him off in a trade like this before losing him for nothing next offseason.