Under-the-radar Jets defender making surprise push for starting role

The New York Jets don't have many starting spots up for grabs on a defense that will return many of its 2024 starters this season, but one overlooked position battle that could prove to be meaningful has been the battle at linebacker.

Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood return as one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL, but they're not the only linebackers who will be playing snaps for the Jets in 2025. One player who seems primed for a role is Marcelino McCrary-Ball.

Like most NFL teams in 2025, the Jets primarily operate out of nickel on defense, but they still turn to their base 4-3 formation at times. The third linebacker in that setup will likely see roughly 10–15% of the team’s defensive snaps this season.

McCrary-Ball entered the summer competing with the likes of rookie fifth-round pick Francisco Mauigoa, former sixth-round pick Zaire Barnes, and ex-Washington Commanders first-round pick Jamin Davis for the job. The Jets already seem to have a frontrunner before their first preseason game.

Marcelino McCrary-Ball emerging as potentially key Jets defender in 2025

The former Indiana standout has reportedly impressed this summer, with The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt shouting out McCrary-Ball for his performance in training camp following Thursday's practice.

During said practice, McCrary-Ball knocked away a pass intended for star wide receiver Garrett Wilson while playing with the first-team defense. Jets X Factor's Nick Faria later remarked that McCrary-Ball "looked really good" and that he "continues to earn playing time."

Originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2022, McCrary-Ball spent his rookie season on the practice squad before joining the Jets the following summer. He'd appear in two games in 2022, playing exclusively on special teams.

The 26-year-old returned in 2024 and took on a larger role as one of the Jets' core special-teamers, playing 67% of the team's special-teams snaps in the 12 games he appeared in.

Now, McCrary-Ball appears poised for a legitimate role on defense if he can beat out his competition for the third linebacker job. Last season, players like Chazz Surratt and Sam Eguavoen combined to log over 200 snaps in that role, and that’s not even counting the four games C.J. Mosley played in.

Of course, the Jets will feature a new defensive scheme in 2025 under head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, which could alter snap distribution. It’s worth noting, however, that Glenn’s Lions defense used three linebackers even more often than the Jets did last season.

If McCrary-Ball keeps building on his impressive summer performance, he could quietly secure a bigger role in the Jets’ defense than most anticipated in 2025.

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