5 Jets players who could become trade candidates in 2026

In an ideal world, the New York Jets will use their free agent acquisitions to bounce back in 2026 and establish Aaron Glenn as a worthwhile NFL head coach. However, the Jets rarely exist in that ideal world.

There's a good chance that the questions at quarterback and overall youth of the roster once again have them positioned at the bottom of the NFL once again, which leads to a more earnest sell-off in which they covet even more capital in the 2027 Draft.

Should that situation come to pass, look for Darren Mougey to start taking some calls on these five players. The trade targets include veterans for win-now teams and young players who won't get a second contract.

5 Jets who could end up being traded in 2026 season

5. RB Isaiah Davis

The Jets have Breece Hall locked up long-term, and if push comes to shove, the Jets will likely keep the younger, more physically gifted back in Braelon Allen. Davis has shown himself to be a dynamic special-teams player, and that could be all that is needed to get teams interested.

4. LB Jamien Sherwood

This will only happen if the Jets either make a veteran addition in free agency or see one of their backups take massive steps forward. The Sherwood extension has been one of Darren Mougey's few misfires, and the Jets will likely be willing to work out a trade to get off that deal.

3. CB Brandon Stephens

The Jets have three cornerbacks fighting for two outside spots in Stephens, Nahshon Wright, and Azareye'h Thomas. If (and only if) the Jets start to go belly-up in 2026, trading Stephens could get some assets back while opening up a spot for Thomas to start.

2. DT Harrison Phillips

Phillips is everything that a team could want from a veteran leader and run-stuffing defensive tackle, but New York has young players like T'Vondre Sweat and Darrell Jackson Jr. trying to take some snaps away from him. There's a non-zero chance Phillips gets sent to a team with a better shot of contending for a title.

1. EDGE Will McDonald

The Jets picked up McDonald's fifth-year option, but with Joseph Ossai arriving in free agency and David Bailey exploding on the scene as the No. 2 overall pick, the Jets have enough depth to move on from him if he flatlines as a pass rusher and continues to provide abysmal run defense.

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