New Orleans Saints–New York Jets Trade History

New Orleans acquired offensive tackle Sam Walton from the New York Jets on May 4, 1970 for a future draft choice. Contemporary Associated Press reporting confirms the Saints surrendered one draft choice, while the surviving transaction ledger does not identify its round or selection. Walton was waived before the regular season and never appeared in a Saints game.

New Orleans sent Richard Neal and Delles Howell to the Jets for 1973 second- and third-round picks. Steve Baumgartner became a useful Saints defender, but the Jets received the better combined player return: Neal developed into a multi-year starter and Howell added three productive seasons in New York. That sustained two-player contribution gives the Jets the hindsight edge.

New Orleans acquired Bob Davis, punter Steve O'Neal and a 1974 fourth-round choice from the Jets for Julian Fagan, Margene Adkins and a 1974 eighth-round selection on June 5, 1973. O'Neal immediately became the Saints' punter, and the higher draft choice gave New Orleans the stronger asset package. The Saints earn the edge even though neither side created a major long-term centerpiece.

New Orleans acquired the No. 12 pick in the 1975 draft and selected offensive lineman Kurt Schumacher, while the Jets received defensive lineman Billy Newsome. Schumacher stayed with the Saints for 45 games and made 20 starts. Newsome immediately started all 14 games for New York in 1975 and recorded eight sacks, giving both teams useful value on different timelines.

New Orleans reacquired defensive lineman Richard Neal from the Jets on February 21, 1978 for the seventh-round pick that became No. 169. Neal appeared in two games and made one start for the Saints that season. New York used the selection on Levi Armstrong, who did not record an NFL regular-season career. The Saints gained only modest value, but it was still the clearer realized return.

New Orleans acquired quarterback Richard Todd from the Jets for the 1984 first-round selection that became linebacker Ron Faurot at No. 15. Todd started 14 games for the Saints in 1984 but struggled with 11 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions. Faurot played only 20 games for New York, so the Saints receive a narrow win despite modest results.

New York moved from No. 13 to No. 12 in the 1994 first round and sent New Orleans the 143rd selection to secure cornerback Aaron Glenn. Glenn became a long-term starter and three-time Pro Bowler over his career, giving the Jets premium value from the targeted move. New Orleans still landed an excellent defender one pick later, keeping the transaction close.

New Orleans received cornerback Earthwind Moreland and a 2002 sixth-round pick that became tight end John Gilmore, sending running back and return specialist Chad Morton to the Jets. Moreland was released before the regular season and Gilmore never played for New Orleans, while Morton became a major return weapon for New York in 2002.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the Jets in 2008 and later sent New York a 2009 third-round pick after the trade's conditions were met; the Saints also received a 2009 fourth-rounder. Vilma became a defensive captain, made the 2009 Pro Bowl and helped lead the Saints to their Super Bowl XLIV championship. New York gained useful draft value, but New Orleans secured the centerpiece.

The Jets acquired running back Chris Ivory from New Orleans for the 106th pick in the 2013 draft. Ivory became New York’s primary runner, surpassed 800 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons and broke 1,000 yards in 2015. The Saints combined pick No. 106 with No. 109 to move up for defensive tackle John Jenkins, so their return had value, but Ivory’s three productive Jets seasons were stronger.

New Orleans acquired Teddy Bridgewater and a 2019 sixth-round pick from the Jets for a 2019 third-rounder. Bridgewater became Drew Brees' backup and delivered the trade's defining value in 2019, going 5-0 as the starter while Brees recovered from a thumb injury. The Saints also retained the sixth-round selection, while New York later used the incoming third-round capital in another draft-day move.

New Orleans moved from No. 116 to No. 105 in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, sending the Jets picks No. 116 and No. 168. The Saints selected C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who developed into a versatile slot defender and safety and gave New Orleans three productive seasons before a later trade sent him to Philadelphia. That impact comfortably exceeded the modest cost of moving up eleven spots.