Denver Broncos–New York Jets Trade History

Denver and New York completed a nine-player AFL exchange in January 1964, the largest trade in league history at the time. Denver received Dick Guesman, Ed Cooke, Charlie Janerette, Jim Price and Sid Fournet; New York received Gene Prebola, Wahoo McDaniel, Gordy Holz and Bob Zeman. Both sides earn B grades. Denver received greater numerical depth and multiple starters, while New York landed the most recognizable individual piece in McDaniel. The exchange helped both rosters without creating an obvious long-term loser.

Denver Broncos received Ed Cummings, while New York Jets received 1966 twelfth round pick (#103-Steve Chomyszak). Denver acquired Ed Cummings and the Jets received the 1966 twelfth-round choice that became Steve Chomyszak. The strongest team and draft records place Chomyszak at No. 103. Cummings gave Denver a full season, while Chomyszak's Jets tenure was brief. Denver Broncos earns a C grade, and the overall verdict is New York Jets Win.

Denver Broncos received Cornell Gordon, while New York Jets received Gus Hollomon. Cornell Gordon gave Denver veteran cornerback help after the exchange. His service supplied meaningful defensive value rather than a brief or purely transactional stop. In hindsight, that direct return supports a B- grade for Denver Broncos. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

Denver Broncos received Jim Turner (Bayard) in the exchange with New York Jets. Jim Turner became Denver's long-term kicker, played nine seasons for the club, scored 742 points, took part in the franchise's first playoff and Super Bowl run, and later entered the Broncos Ring of Fame. Against New York Jets' return of Bob Howfield / Bobby Howfield, that result supports a A+ grade. The transaction is judged as Denver Broncos Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Denver Broncos received Godwin Turk, while New York Jets received 1977 fifth round pick (#129-Gary Gregory). Godwin Turk gave Denver three seasons of linebacker depth, appearing in 42 regular-season games from 1976 through 1978 and contributing to the 1977 AFC championship team. The fifth-round selection became Gary Gregory, who did not create comparable NFL value for New York. That outcome supports a B grade for Denver Broncos, a C for New York Jets, and a Denver Broncos Win verdict.

Denver acquired quarterback Matt Robinson from the Jets in February 1980 for quarterback Craig Penrose plus the No. 20 and No. 47 selections in that year's draft. Robinson did not become the durable quarterback answer Denver needed, leaving the Broncos with limited long-term return after surrendering a player and two top-50 choices. The acquisition never produced enough value to offset that premium cost.

Denver Broncos received Stan Blinka. Denver received linebacker Stan Blinka, but he did not produce regular-season value for the Broncos after the move. That left Denver without a meaningful on-field return from the player it acquired. Miano's multi-season Jets contribution decisively exceeded Blinka's lack of regular-season Broncos value, making New York the clear winner. That outcome supports a D grade for Denver Broncos.

Denver sent the 166th pick in the 1992 draft to the Jets and received Nos. 181 and 208. New York used No. 166 on quarterback Jeff Blake, while Denver selected Jim Johnson and Dietrich Lockridge with the acquired choices. Blake went on to a long NFL career with extensive starting experience, far surpassing the realized value of Denver's two selections and giving the Jets a substantial hindsight victory.

Denver moved up from No. 88 to No. 67 and landed guard Dan Neil, who became a long-term starter and a member of both Super Bowl championship teams. The price was substantial: Dedric Ward, Chuck Clements, Jason Ferguson and a 1998 sixth-rounder. Neil was excellent value, but New York produced two durable contributors from the package, giving the Jets the deeper overall return.

Denver moved Tim Tebow and a seventh-round pick to the Jets after signing Peyton Manning, receiving fourth- and sixth-round selections that became Philip Blake and Danny Trevathan. Tebow played only one season in New York and never became a meaningful part of the offense. Trevathan developed into a starting linebacker and later helped Denver win Super Bowl 50. Converting a displaced quarterback into a championship contributor makes the Broncos the clear winner.

Denver received edge defender Jacob Martin plus the future fifth-round selection that became Kris Abrams-Draine. Martin gave Denver a short rotational contribution before moving on, while Abrams-Draine developed into useful young secondary depth and earned starting opportunities. That combination gave the Broncos both immediate roster help and a later young contributor from the same package.

Denver acquired Zach Wilson and pick No. 256 from the Jets for pick No. 203, with the transaction formally recorded by the Broncos on April 23, 2024. Wilson spent the 2024 regular season as Denver's third quarterback and did not take a regular-season snap, while New York converted its former starter into a higher draft slot. The value difference is small, but the Jets captured the better return.

Denver acquired John Franklin-Myers from the Jets for a 2026 sixth-round pick and secured an established defensive-line starter at a bargain price. Franklin-Myers brought durability, interior-outside versatility and immediate pass-rush production to the Broncos, then remained productive into 2025. New York received future draft capital, but a late sixth-round return does not match the multi-season value Denver obtained from a proven defender.