Who could the Jets potentially move at the 2026 NFL trade deadline?

The New York Jets could face some difficult decisions as the NFL trade deadline approaches, particularly as they evaluate which players fit into their long-term plans. With the team struggling to find consistency, with there being rumors of discontent, and with draft capital potentially more valuable than short-term roster upgrades, outside analysts are beginning to identify players who could attract interest from contending teams.

FOX Sports recently published NFL Trade Deadline: The Top Trade Candidate On All 32 Teams, identifying one potential trade candidate for every franchise. For New York (2-5), the choice was edge rusher Will McDonald, whose place in the defensive rotation has become less secure.

The designation doesn’t mean a deal is imminent, but it raises an interesting question about how the Jets should approach the final stretch before the Nov. 10 deadline.

FOX Sports’ breakdown on McDonald as a trade piece can be found below:

“The self-described ‘fireball’ still has a lot of pass-rushing value, even as his role on the Jets seems to diminish. With the emergence of super-rookie David Bailey and the addition of vets Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai, McDonald has played more than 50% of the Jets’ snaps in just one game this season. Since he’s signed through 2027, he could bring a bigger haul in return than a regular rental. And as the Jets build towards a better future, draft picks may matter more to them than wins.”

McDonald’s reduced workload is a key part of the discussion. Bailey’s emergence and the additions of Enagbare and Ossai have given New York more options along the edge, potentially making McDonald more expendable than he would have been earlier in his career.

Could the Jets turn Will McDonald into future assets?

McDonald remains under contract through 2027, a factor that could make him more appealing to an acquiring team than a player approaching free agency. A potential trade would give another franchise additional time to develop him while allowing the Jets to pursue draft compensation.

That possibility presents a strategic choice for New York. McDonald has pass-rushing ability that could benefit another team immediately, but the Jets must weigh that value against what they could receive in return. His reduced role suggests the coaching staff has other options, although it doesn’t necessarily mean the organization is ready to move him.

With the deadline approaching, McDonald is a name worth monitoring. Whether the Jets ultimately trade him will depend on the offers available and how the front office values his future contribution against the opportunity to add draft capital.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Who could the Jets potentially move at the 2026 NFL trade deadline?