The Jets traded the rights to unsigned second-round receiver…
The Jets traded the rights to unsigned second-round receiver Reggie Rembert to Cincinnati on August 27, 1990, for linebacker Joe Kelly and tackle Scott Jones. New York turned a contract impasse into two veteran players, while Cincinnati acquired the prospect it wanted. None of the three produced enough sustained value for the receiving club to create a decisive gap, leaving the trade even.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- other rights to Reggie Rembert
New York Jets Received
- player Joe Kelly (Winston)
- player Scott Jones
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
The Jets selected Reggie Rembert in the second round of the 1990 draft but could not reach a contract agreement with him as the season approached. Cincinnati, coached by a staff willing to take on the unsigned receiver, offered two veterans. On August 27, New York sent Rembert's rights to the Bengals for linebacker Joe Kelly and offensive tackle Scott Jones.
What Cincinnati and New York Received
Cincinnati acquired the rights to Rembert, a talented West Virginia receiver who still needed to sign before he could help the club. New York received Kelly and Jones, both experienced players who were familiar to Jets coach Bruce Coslet from his years on Cincinnati's staff. The corrected package is specifically Kelly and Scott Jones; contemporary reporting identifies Jones as the tackle in the deal.
How the Value Developed
The trade solved New York's immediate problem by converting an unsigned draft choice into two roster options, but neither incoming veteran became a long-term Jets cornerstone. Cincinnati did get Rembert signed and into the NFL, yet his Bengals tenure and overall NFL production remained modest. The transaction therefore produced practical short-term benefits for both clubs without yielding the kind of sustained player performance that would create a large advantage.
Final Verdict
New York deserves credit for recovering value from a stalled negotiation, while Cincinnati deserves credit for acquiring a second-round talent without surrendering premium draft capital. The eventual on-field returns were limited enough that neither strategy separated clearly from the other. There is no compelling basis for a wide grade spread. Cincinnati and New York both receive C grades, and Even Trade remains the most balanced verdict.