The New York Jets are moving on.
Gang Green announced on social media that they have released offensive lineman Esa Pole. After final roster cuts in August, the Jets swiped Pole away from the Kansas City Chiefs on waivers.
Chiefs Thought They Had Retained Pole Until Jets Swooped In
It was initially believed that Pole had passed through waivers without being claimed in August.
Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star revealed after the Chiefs cut Pole that they hoped to “bring him back on the practice squad.”
However, they never got the chance because he had to clear through waivers.
Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor said on August 27 that it was “surprising” that Kansas City let him go.
“UDFA rookie who had a very sharp preseason: 0 penalties on 68 offensive snaps [and] 0 pressures allowed on 49 pass-blocking snaps. Seeing a lot of unhappy Chiefs fans. Jets OL depth just got stronger,” Nania said on social media.
UDFA rookie who had a very sharp preseason:
– 0 penalties on 68 offensive snaps – 0 pressures allowed on 49 pass-blocking snaps
Seeing a lot of unhappy Chiefs fans.
#Jets OL depth just got stronger.Pole, 24, is listed at 6-foot-7 and weighs 319 pounds. The upside was immense, but the Jets never got to experience it.
The Jet Press revealed that Pole, “was the only player on the 53 [man roster] to be inactive for every game this season … Wouldn’t be surprised if Pole was claimed.”
Jets editorial contributor Susanna Weir provided more details in a press release: “Pole (6-5, 323) joined the Green & White in August. Initially signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in May, Pole was waived by Kansas City and claimed off the waiver wire by the Jets after initial 53-man rosters were finalized in August. The Washington State product allowed just 9 total pressures without a sack on 498 pass-blocking snaps during his final collegiate season, earning him Pro Football Focus’ eighth best pass-blocking grade among all tackles in the 2025 class. Pole was inactive for each of the Jets games this season.”
Insider Provides Update Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
“Important to note on Jets as the trade deadline approaches: This is not a fire sale. They have players who are available, as is usually [the] case when [a] new regime takes over. Any deal would be for fair [compensation]/Jets price, though. Not pennies on [the] dollar,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY explained on social media.
“Teams call/continue to call on guys like Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Michael Carter II, Quinnen & Quincy Williams, but that’s the vibe they’re getting from conversations. Some league sources wonder if there will be more willingness from [the] Jets to give in negotiations if they fall to 0-8 with a loss to the Bengals. That’s to be seen,” Hughes added.
They have players who are available, as is usually case when new regime takes over. Any deal would be for fair conformation/Jets price, though. Not pennies on dollar.
Teams call/continue to
The schedule works out interestingly for the Jets. In Week 8, they travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. However, in Week 9, they have their scheduled bye week.
The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, November 4, at 4 pm. If the Jets get their first win of the season against the Bengals, they will get to stew on it for two weeks. However, if they lose, the 0-8 record will be staring them in the face for that same period of time.
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