New York Jets–Tennessee Titans Trade History

The New York Titans received Bill Mathis and Bob Crandall from Houston in August 1960, completing an earlier rights transaction tied to Don Floyd. Mathis became a decade-long fixture for the Titans and Jets, while Floyd developed into a long-term Houston defensive starter. Because both franchises obtained substantial early-AFL value from the exchange, a strong even B/B judgment fits better than forcing a winner.

The Houston Oilers sent the second pick in the 1965 AFL draft to the New York Jets for the negotiating rights to quarterback Jerry Rhome. New York used that selection on Joe Namath, who became the franchise's defining quarterback and delivered the guarantee-backed upset in Super Bowl III. Rhome never supplied Houston with comparable value. Turning one set of negotiating rights into Namath makes this one of the clearest wins in early AFL history.

New York used Houston's acquired No. 214 pick on Karl Henke, who played six games without a start for the 1968 championship Jets and recorded an estimated one sack. Houston received the AFL rights to Rich 'Bud' Marshall, then got 22 games and nine starts from him across 1967-68, including nine starts and an estimated two sacks in 1967. The longer, larger role flips the result to Houston/Tennessee, B- to C.

The Jets acquired veteran guard Bob Talamini from Houston on August 16, 1968 for the 1969 third-round pick that became running back Rich Johnson. Talamini played all 14 games, started nine and remained the starting left guard for Super Bowl III, helping New York rush for 142 yards in its championship upset. One championship season outweighed Johnson's lone Oilers year.

New York Jets received W.K. Hicks; Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans received 1970 fifth-round pick No. 110, Ron Saul. Hicks started 29 games for the Jets over three seasons and intercepted 13 passes, including eight in 1970. Saul became a useful Oilers lineman, appearing in 61 games with 36 starts from 1970-75 before Houston traded him. The realized outcomes support New York Jets Win, with New York Jets graded A- and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans graded B-.

New York received seventh-round selections in 1979 and 1980 and used them on Keith Brown and Bennie Leverett. The two late-round choices gave the Jets inexpensive roster opportunities, but neither generated production comparable to Rich Caster's Houston tenure. Caster delivered three seasons of receiving value for the Oilers after the exchange, creating the larger direct contribution.

New York acquired Justin McCareins from Tennessee for the 42nd pick in the 2004 draft. New York acquired Justin McCareins and received four seasons of receiving production from him. McCareins was not a dominant No. 1 target, but he gave the Jets a substantial body of usable snaps and catches over multiple years. That level of contribution makes the acquisition defensible even though Tennessee ultimately received the better return.

New York received picks No. 121 and No. 157 from Tennessee and selected Trevon Wesco and Blake Cashman. Wesco filled a blocking and special-teams role, while Cashman's Jets tenure was repeatedly interrupted before he later found greater success elsewhere. Tennessee used No. 116 on Amani Hooker, who became a multiyear starting safety, giving the Titans the stronger team-specific return.

The Jets sent Tennessee picks 35, 69 and 163 for Nos. 26 and 101, selecting Jermaine Johnson and Jeremy Ruckert. Johnson became a 2023 Pro Bowler before an Achilles tear cost him most of 2024, while Ruckert developed into a regular tight end and earned an extension. Tennessee received several starters, led by Roger McCreary and Nicholas Petit-Frere. The Titans gained more total snaps, but the Jets landed the highest-ceiling player, making the result essentially even.

New York agreed to acquire defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat from Tennessee on February 26, 2026, in exchange for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, with the deal formally processed in March. Sweat brought two seasons of starting interior production to the Jets. Because the 2026 regular season has not begun, the football return remains unresolved and an even preliminary grade is most appropriate.