Shortly after the NFL trade deadline for 2019 passed last week, Sporting News considered the Jets winners for not giving into multiple reported offers on safety Jamal Adams and holding strong on their expensive price tag. Now we have another reason to like how New York general manager Joe Douglas and Co. approached their dealings.
According to NFL Media, the Jets asked about two All-Pro offensive linemen from the Cowboys, guard Zack Martin and tackle Tyron Smith, when Dallas inquired about Adams.
"Sources said that when the Dallas Cowboys first called about Adams earlier this week, the Jets asked about the availability of Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin," NFL Media reported. "When the Cowboys quickly shot that down, the Jets inquired about Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, which was also a 'no.'"
MORE: NFL trade deadline winners and losers
Good on Douglas for shooting his shot, as they say.
NFL Media also reported the Jets received "double-digit calls" about Adams, and beyond Dallas and Baltimore, "a third unnamed team (made) the strongest offer."
Naturally, Adams was not happy when his agent told him he was the subject of trade rumors as the deadline approached. The 24-year-old told reporters Friday he had reached "peace" with the development and was ready to move forward with the Jets.
Adams is a young, talented player whose impact in New York would have been difficult to replace had he been traded. But nobody can blame Douglas for dangling Adams in front of the Cowboys and asking about Martin and Smith, who would be even more impactful on a Jets team looking to build around quarterback Sam Darnold; one that on Sunday started its fourth different O-line combination of the season.
Martin, 28, is in his sixth NFL season and has made the Pro Bowl every year he has been in the NFL. He also has been selected first team All-Pro three times. Smith, 28, is a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first team All-Pro selection. So, yeah, Dallas is not inclined to part with either as it chases a Super Bowl.
Douglas' reported interest in Martin and Smith falls in line with a report that he would listen to offers for everybody on the Jets' roster but Darnold and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams as the trade deadline approached. Further, according to ESPN, New York had to turn away at least one generous deal for the rookie defensive lineman.
"At least one team kept coming at the Jets, refusing to take no for an answer and offering a blockbuster package of picks that it thought New York could not turn down, ESPN reported, citing sources. "But no matter how many times that team and others called, New York refused to budge on Williams."
Douglas, who was hired by New York in June after he won a title with Philadelphia as the team's vice president of player personnel, evidently wants to build the Jets from the inside out. The result of a similar approach by the Eagles was dominance at the line of scrimmage and a Super Bowl.
That's why Adams and running back Le'Veon Bell, the latter being a player the Jets were "eager to move" before the trade deadline, will continue to be the subjects of trade discussions. According to CBS, "several GMs" believe both could be dealt during the NFL Combine in February.
Douglas apparently is willing to trade those players not because of their talent, which for both is undeniable, but due to the perceived value of the positions they play.