Jets insider provides insight on Will McDonald's trade deadline fate

For what feels like the entire calendar year, edge Will McDonald IV has been the hottest name for the New York Jets in terms of a potential trade. He's never really been a fit for Aaron Glenn's defensive scheme, and his role has decreased little by little as the months have gone by.

Even with all the injuries the Jets have faced at pass rusher in 2026, McDonald can't seem to capitalize on the void left behind by the likes of David Bailey, who missed last Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and veteran Joseph Ossai, who has played in only three games this season.

McDonald, despite being one of the better pure pass rushers the Jets have on the roster, has only played 48% of the defensive snaps so far this season. For someone who is a former first-round pick, that's rather disappointing.

With the NFL's trade deadline just days away, should the Jets consider dealing McDonald? Have they already begun to lay the groundwork for a potential trade for the former Iowa State standout?

Zack Rosenblatt provides new intel on potential Will McDonald trade

Speaking with The Jet Press, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt spoke about the possibility of the Jets trading away McDonald, and sounded like someone who was in the camp that New York would stand pat with their fourth-year edge.

"I would think there would be interest, but I don't know. Are you just going to let him go for a fourth-round pick? If you can get more than that, maybe you do it. Because they have so much draft capital already, they don't feel like they need to trade anybody."

Rosenblatt pointed out that if the Jets were to trade McDonald, they would be selling incredibly low on a player who is clearly not a fit with the current coaching staff. It wasn't all that long ago that he recorded double-digit sacks in Robert Saleh's wide-nine scheme.

On top of that, they would be dealing a massive blow to their depth at pass rusher, a position that has been incredibly thin for New York this year. If Ossai continues to miss games, the Jets would likely have to turn to a practice squad player in the wake of a McDonald trade.

It sounds like the Jets are comfortable with staying still at the 2026 trade deadline. They already have their stockpile of assets for the 2027 NFL Draft. If a move is going to be made, it would likely happen on the offensive side of the ball.

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