New York coach Robert Saleh said during the offseason that Jets defensive end Carl Lawson “has a commodity in this league that’s gold.” But because New York has kept Lawson’s pass-rushing ability largely locked away in 2023, the former Auburn standout seemed a likely player to be moved at the NFL’s trade deadline.

Lawson was designated as a game-day inactive on Sunday for the second time in three contests and the third time this season, making his departure seem even more imminent.

Pass-rushers Montez Sweat, Leonard Williams and Chase Young changed teams on deadline day, but Wednesday arrived with Lawson still on the Jets’ roster.

“A lot of calls – obviously, there need to be buyers, there need to be sellers,” New York general manager Joe Douglas said. “We made a lot of inquiries, a lot of discussions about a lot of different positions. Ultimately didn’t get any other deals done. And that’s where we are.”

Lawson and running back Dalvin Cook seemed the Jets’ most obvious trade candidates.

Cook ran for 5,024 yards and 43 touchdowns in the previous four seasons. In 2023, Cook has 114 yards on 43 carries.

Lawson started every game for New York last season, when he recorded seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits. This season, Lawson has played 73 snaps and doesn’t have a sack or a quarterback hit.

While the contributions from Lawson and Cook have been minimal so far in 2023, the Jets have 10 games left on their schedule, and Douglas said he thinks both players will get opportunities to contribute.

“We had talks with a lot of teams,” Douglas said. “Ultimately, we did what we thought was best for the team. Those guys are great – great teammates and great players. I have a feeling we’re going to need those guys a lot down the stretch. They’re assets to this team, and we’re happy they’re here.”

The emergence of 2022 first-round draft pick Jermaine Johnson and former St. Paul’s Episcopal standout Bryce Huff have contributed to the change in Lawson’s playing status.

Lawson is in a contract year, but it was the status of Huff’s contract that drew a question at Douglas’ trade-deadline press conference.

“There’s been some informal conversations with Bryce’s representatives,” Douglas said. “They’re trending in a positive direction. Still a long way to go, but Bryce is another – not to pontificate – that’s an unbelievable player-development story, for him to come in as an undrafted free agent and just work and work and work and get better every day. And I think the last two years, you’ve really been able to see a huge progression for him. Everyone’s excited about Bryce.”

In the Jets’ past three games, Huff has 3.5 sacks and five quarterback hits.

Huff signed a one-year contract during the offseason as New York used a second-round tender to keep him from leaving as a restricted free agent.

With three consecutive victories to raise their record to 4-3, the Jets play the Los Angeles Chargers in the Week 9 Monday night game. The teams square off at 7:15 p.m. CST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.