If the New York Jets had dreams of competing with the top teams in the AFC East, Thursday’s trade made that hope infinitely harder.

The Buffalo Bills shipped a 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver D.J. Moore and a fifth-round pick. Moore has never made the Pro Bowl, but he has posted four 1,000-yard seasons in his eight-year NFL career.

On an offense with former MVP Josh Allen, the addition of Moore provides the Bills with a top receiving threat.

That won’t make things any easier for the Jets going forward.

Jets’ AFC East outlook

If there was one major need on the offensive side for the Bills, it was a true No. 1 wideout who could command defenses’ respect. The combination of Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman simply hasn’t been good enough.

Moore adds a different dynamic to Buffalo’s offense, hurting the Jets’ chances in the foreseeable future.

New York has a significant need for a lockdown cornerback. The Jets traded All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, and the pass defense took a major hit following the move. Cornerback may not be a role Gang Green will be running to fill right away this offseason, but the trade of Moore makes a potential deal something to consider.

As for the rest of the AFC East, there is a positive spin for New York.

The lone positive spin

Buffalo relenting a second-round pick for Moore, coming off a career-worst season with just 682 yards and 50 receptions, is seen as an overpay. It also impacts the potential return of A.J. Brown.

The All-Pro wide receiver remains with the Philadelphia Eagles, but talks with the New England Patriots continue.

Any deal involving Brown, after the Moore trade, will require more than just a first-round pick. If New England were to give away top draft assets, it could affect their chances of solving other needs across the board.

New York certainly didn’t need to worry about another top receiver in its division. Now, Buffalo’s gamble is another issue the Jets must address this season.

So long as they aim to compete against the top teams in their division at least.