The knee-jerk reaction after Sunday’s 37-17 loss to the Vikings would have been to make a desperate trade for a wide receiver. It was clear the Jets need help at receiver after injuries have taken a toll and the current crop failed to produce in the loss.

But general manager Mike Maccagnan did the wise thing. Instead of sending a valuable draft pick away for a receiver with question marks — and any receiver available on the trade block has question marks — he signed free agent Rishard Matthews on Tuesday.

Matthews, 29, won’t instantly solve the Jets issues. He asked for his release from the Titans last month, unhappy with how they were using him after having just three catches in three games. His best season was in 2016 when he had 65 catches for 945 yards and nine touchdowns.

But Matthews is a professional receiver who can help patch up the banged-up wide receiving corps for the short term.

The best thing about Matthews is he did not cost the Jets a draft pick. Maccagnan needs to hold onto his picks. That is how the Jets will get better, not by dealing for another team’s damaged goods.