In Adam Gase’s first move as New York Jets interim general manager today, he parted ways with one of Mike Maccagnan’s first-round picks.
The Jets traded linebacker Darron Lee to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The two teams had been discussing a trade for the past couple of weeks, but could not come to terms until Wednesday.
The move wasn’t surprising given that New York gave inside linebacker C.J. Mosley a five-year, $85 million contract in free agency. The Jets also had declined Lee’s fifth-year option, which signaled their desire to move on from him.
Earlier today, the Jets announced they had fired Maccagnan amid reports of disputes with Gase.
Lee never quite lived up to his selection as the 20th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Ohio State. In three seasons, Lee played inconsistently despite starting 36 of his 40 games played. He only totaled four sacks in those three seasons, with 238 total tackles and three interceptions. Lee finished the 2018 season serving a four-game PED suspension.
Lee gets a second chance in Kansas City, where he will have the opportunity to compete for a starting role. The sixth-round pick isn’t much of a return for a former first-rounder, but it’s better than nothing. This move opens up the possibility for someone like 2019 fifth-round pick Blake Cashman to move up the Jets depth chart.
