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The New York Jets, mired in a 2-7 season and riding a four-game losing streak into Sunday's divisional matchup with the Buffalo Bills, opted for a quiet trade deadline, keeping their roster intact in hopes of salvaging a disastrous start. While other teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings made significant moves, the Jets stood pat, with their only transaction being the trade of safety Andre Cisco to the Detroit Lions—a move that was hardly surprising given his diminished role and expiring contract.
Among those rumored to be on the move was defensive end Will McDonald IV, who has voiced frustration over his reduced snap count. The fourth-year pass rusher ranks second on the team with three sacks, trailing only rookie David Bailey's 7.5, and head coach Aaron Glenn believes McDonald has earned a bigger role. "His pass rush is second to none and he's been in a lot of those situations where he can rush the passer," Glenn said during his Wednesday press conference, per SNY Jets. "And it's just my job to make sure I put him in position to play more because he is improving and I've always said this that you earn the right to play and he's doing that."
While the Jets' inactivity at the deadline might signal a focus on the future, the coaching staff's recurring failure to maximize their best players' talents has been a persistent issue. McDonald, who requested a trade, was ultimately retained, but if Glenn is truly confident in his pass-rush ability and intends to give him a larger role, the coach must prove it on the field by deploying McDonald in situations where he can validate that faith.
Glenn Must Back Up His Words with Action
Although the trade deadline came and went without a move, McDonald emerged as a clear loser in the process. He still has one year left on his rookie deal with a fully guaranteed fifth-year option for next season, but he has been relegated to a situational role this season, transitioning from a primary pass rusher to a third-down specialist who has played less than 50% of the team's defensive snaps in 2026. Since the Jets shifted to a 3-4 base front that has placed more emphasis on Bailey and Kingsley Enagbare, McDonald has not been positioned to effectively rush the passer and leverage his athleticism.
Known for his signature spin move and explosive first step, McDonald could benefit from lining up wider, allowing him to use his speed rather than absorbing double-teams. With the attention Bailey rightfully commands due to his elite play, pairing McDonald alongside him more frequently in nickel and dime fronts would divert focus and free him up to generate pressure. If Glenn can move McDonald around to exploit his agility against slower linemen and keep him fresh for early downs and passing situations, he could maximize his pass-rush skills instead of exposing him to power run schemes—an area where he has struggled.
What McDonald's Workload Should Look Like in Week 10 and Beyond
Given that the Jets hold three first-round picks and will likely use a high-value selection on an edge rusher, McDonald remains a prime candidate to depart in the offseason. It would make little sense for the team to retain the former first-rounder if his snap count does not increase, but Glenn's comments suggest otherwise—assuming they are not merely coach speak. Despite playing on a defensive front that has dealt with injuries, McDonald has been far from the 66% of defensive snaps he averaged over his previous two seasons with the Jets.
With an explosive Bills passing attack led by quarterback Josh Allen on deck, it is crucial that McDonald sees a similar snap count to his last two seasons—roughly 60-65%—while taking on a reduced role on special teams to preserve his stamina. Glenn has remained committed to his process despite a 5-21 record with the Jets. Both he and McDonald may be on their way out of New York by season's end, but if Glenn truly wants to back up his comments and put his money where his mouth is, he would be wise to let McDonald showcase his abilities over the final eight games as the season slips away from the Jets anyway.