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Gase trades Darron Lee to Chiefs on 1st day as Jets' interim GM

Al Pereira / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Interim New York Jets general manager Adam Gase hasn't wasted any time getting familiar with his new role.

Hours after earning the interim title following the dismissal of Mike Maccagnan, the Jets agreed to trade linebacker Darron Lee to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2020 sixth-round pick.

Lee was a 2016 first-round selection under the Maccagnan regime, selected 20th overall. The inside linebacker has tallied seasons of 73, 94, and 74 total tackles but has failed to live up to his draft slot.

Lee is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which will pay him $1.8 million in 2019. The Jets declined his fifth-year option for 2020.

The Chiefs get a 24-year-old with a strong pedigree. He joins a Kansas City defense undergoing a facelift since a disappointing showing in 2018. In are Lee, Alex Okafor, Frank Clark, Emmanuel Ogbah, Tyrann Mathieu, and Bashaud Breeland, and gone are the likes of Eric Berry, Justin Houston, and Dee Ford.

The Jets begin, in earnest, rebuilding their roster in Gase's image.

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