NY Jets fans have no reason to panic after missing out on Tyreek Hill

The New York Jets will survive without Tyreek Hill

The Tyreek Hill trade-saga lasted a grand total of approximately 90 minutes, but to New York Jets and Miami Dolphins fans, that 90 minutes felt like an eternity.

News broke shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday that contract extension negotiations between Hill and the Kansas City Chiefs had stalled, and the Chiefs had given Hill permission to seek a trade. Almost immediately afterward, the Jets and Dolphins were reported to be the two finalists for Hill, igniting a wildfire of anticipation and worry amongst fans of both teams.

An hour later, more details were leaked alleging that the Chiefs had accepted trade offers from both New York and Miami, and had left the final decision up to Hill himself.

At this point, the Jets and Dolphins faithful were engaged in a full-blown war, arguing which AFC East basement-dweller would better suit the high-flying wideout.

Fans of Gang Green lauded Hill’s potential as a deep threat for quarterback Zach Wilson, lamenting Dolphins’ signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa for his underwhelming arm strength. Fins fans had a compelling and honestly convincing argument themselves, since Hill already spent his offseasons living and training in South Beach, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had heavy Miami ties.

Then, at 12:34 p.m., it was over.

The Chiefs agreed to send Hill to Miami in exchange for five total draft picks: the Dolphins’ first, second, and fourth-round picks this year as well as their fourth and sixth-round picks next year.

Next, the Dolphins made sure to secure Hill’s future with the team, signing him to a four-year, $120 million extension with over $70 million in guarantees.

Understandably, Jets fans were crushed, having another dream of a splash trade dangled before their eyes, only to be ripped away just as fast as it began.

At the start of the offseason, Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was a rumored trade target, but Ridley’s shocking year-long suspension for gambling ended those rumors.

Next, fans turned to Seahawk great D.K. Metcalf, but that was always more speculation than substance, as Metcalf was never made available by Seattle.

Now, after the hopes for Hill have been dashed as well, any hopes fans had of a shiny new toy for Zach Wilson are flatlining.

Losing out on Tyreek Hill certainly stings, but it does not ruin the Jets’ future or change their plans. The Jets are back in the same situation they were before Wednesday morning: primed with four picks in the top 40 of the coming NFL draft, ready to strike if an opportunity presents itself.

With so much premium draft capital, general manager Joe Douglas can freely wheel-and-deal his way up and down the board.

New York could pass on a wide receiver with their two first-round picks, then trade both of their second-round picks to get back into round one and secure their chosen pass-catcher. Conversely, Douglas could trade down in the first round, acquiring even more ammo while getting better value on a receiver class deep in talent, but lacking superstars.

Hill would’ve been a dynamite addition to the Jets’ offense, providing Wilson with an elite target to aid his second-year-leap. That said, Hill’s loss ultimately hurts more for the Jets’ defense – which will have to cover him twice a year – than it does for Wilson and the rest of the offense.

The sky is not falling. The Jets can still use their extensive resources in the draft to surround Wilson with more than enough quality weapons. Fans just have to remain patient and trust in Douglas.

The Oklahoma Drill Podcast is back to break down the whirlwind Tyreek Hill fiasco, why Jets fans shouldn’t panic after missing out, and how their plans for the draft have changed after free agency and Hill’s potential addition.

Based on Douglas’ clear desire to add receivers, fans should be confident that Zach Wilson will get his much-anticipated new toy when the NFL draft opens five weeks from today.

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