Reports: Detroit Lions acquire Denzel Mims in trade with New York Jets

Jets trade Denzel Mims to Lions, ending his tenure with team.

The Denzel Mims era with the New York Jets has reportedly come to an end after three years. According to SNY and NFL Network, the Jets have traded Mims and a seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a conditional sixth-rounder.

This trade comes after the Jets excused Mims from reporting to training camp and informed him that they would try to trade him. If a trade couldn't be made, Mims would have been released and placed on waivers for other teams to claim.

Mims was drafted by the Jets in 2020 with high hopes under former head coach Adam Gase. In his rookie season, he showed promise, catching 23 passes for 357 yards and averaging 15.5 yards per reception.

However, with the firing of Gase and the arrival of new head coach Robert Saleh, Mims struggled to find his place in the team. In 2021, he faced setbacks due to food poisoning, losing 20 pounds. His playing time decreased, and he only recorded eight receptions for 133 yards that season.

During training camp last year, Mims found himself buried on the Jets' depth chart and requested a trade. Although his request wasn't granted, he later started four games due to injuries and finished the 2022 season with 11 catches for 186 yards.

Moving on from the Jets is beneficial for both Mims and the team. He now has the opportunity to join the Lions, a team with potential, and start fresh in a new city. It was uncertain whether Mims would even make the Jets' 53-man roster considering the depth at the wide receiver position. The Jets have Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb on their roster, and they acquired Davis and Cobb during the offseason. Additionally, the team released Braxton Berrios, a former All-Pro returner, who later signed with the Miami Dolphins.

With this trade, the Jets will receive something in return for Mims instead of simply releasing him.