The Seahawks and 49ers made deals with Indianapolis on Tuesday, but New York may be the real long-term winner.
The Colts kicked off their trade deadline fire sale on Tuesday, sending pieces to the Seahawks and 49ers, both of whom are hoping the moves pay off quickly. But the team that could benefit most isn't even involved in the trades: the Jets.
New York sits at 2-5, a start that feels all too familiar for a franchise that has struggled to find stability in recent years. Normally that kind of record is just bad news. This time, though, a similar collapse in Indianapolis gives the Jets a silver lining worth watching.
The Colts' willingness to start dealing veterans signals a step back for a team that had hoped to compete this season. As Indianapolis retools, draft capital tied to that process stands to shift in value, and New York is positioned to take advantage down the line, particularly as the 2027 NFL Draft comes into focus.
For a Jets team mired in another rough stretch, the long game may be where the real opportunity lies. The Seahawks and 49ers are playing for now. The Jets, whether by design or default, may be playing for later.