What a Catch! Jets Dump Richardson on Seahawks, Get Kearse & Picks

The Jets are supposed to be horrible this year, but for at least one day this month, the Jets look like winners on paper after swinging a deal with the Seattle Seahawks that will get them wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and draft picks in exchange for troubled defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

According to Ian Rappaport on NFL.com:

9 minutes ago
Deal being discussed since mid-August involved Sheldon Richardson going to in exchange for Jermaine Kearse & a 2nd or 3rd rd pick

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It was later reported that the Jets would instead get a 7th round pick from Seattle instead of a 3rd rounder, but still. 

This is a huge move for both franchises. For Seattle they get a solid defensive player, but one who comes with plenty of baggage.
In 2015 he was suspended for failing the leagues' substance abuse policy. He was also arrested in Missouri for driving over 140 mph, with a child and a loaded handgun in the car. Richardson was found guilty of reckless driving and resisting arrest at the time. He received two years probation and had to serve 100 hours of community service time. 

In addition, Richardson was the face of the Jets fractured locker room last year, as he spat with former Jet wide out Brandon Marshall split the team in two. 

Trading Richardson was a no-brainer for the Jets, who wanted to move him for months. Doing so now, and getting a good player in return is a huge victory for Mike Maccagnan. Maccagnan has come under some fire for his weak drafts as well as overseeing a total overhaul of any and all talent on the Jets roster. To say this is a big year for him is an understatement. 

In Kearse, the Jets get a solid wide receiver. He is not a number 1, but a solid tall wide out that is going to help spread the field for New York. At 6-1 he's the tallest receiver on the Jets roster, and with six years under his belt, he is their most experienced. He averages just under 14 yards a catch, with his best season coming in 2015, where he hauled 49 passes for 685 yards and five touchdowns. 

Furthermore the Jets have full control of him for two full seasons, while he is in the prime of his career.  Kearse signed a three-year deal last year in Seattle, and is due $2.2 million this year, and a little over $5 million next year. He will be a free agent in 2019.

While Kearse has said in recent weeks that he would like to stay in Seattle, he has a chance to elevate his career by being the guy (at least this season) in New York.  




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