The New York Jets haven’t made a game-changing trade before the 2026 NFL deadline, and for edge rusher Will McDonald IV, that inaction could be a nightmare. While the Jets did send Andre Cisco to the Detroit Lions for a sixth-round pick, a solid deal for a struggling 2-7 team, it seems they might have let a much bigger opportunity slip through their fingers with McDonald. Even as stars like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson popped up in trade rumors (though they are likely staying put), McDonald IV has been a consistent name in the trade chatter. The Jets have been vocal about wanting to keep their 27-year-old edge rusher, but a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer hints that decision could be a huge mistake, especially with how the Jacksonville Jaguars have been moving.
The “Significant” Offer That Might Be Dead
Breer’s report sheds light on a seriously interesting situation: Will McDonald IV actually requested a trade from the Jets. More importantly, before the trade deadline action exploded on Monday, the Jaguars made a “significant” offer for McDonald. Think about that for a second. The Jaguars were ready to pony up some real assets for him. The problem for the Jets is, that “significant” offer is probably off the table now. Why? Because Jacksonville went absolutely wild with trades on Monday, essentially wiping out their available high-end draft capital.
Jacksonville’s Deadline Blitz Changed Everything
The Jaguars made two massive moves, showing they were not messing around. First, they sent a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons to bring in Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III. Then, they turned around and dished out a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive tackle Jordan Davis. These were huge, high-cost acquisitions. Some might even call them overpays. But the key takeaway here is this: if the Jaguars were willing to throw that kind of draft capital at Bates and Davis, it’s a safe bet their “significant” offer for McDonald was equally, if not more, enticing.
While nobody has officially confirmed the exact details of that “significant” McDonald offer, if it was anything close to or more than a third-round pick, the Jets undeniably missed a huge chance. McDonald wanted out, which means his time in New York might be coming to an end anyway. Instead of capitalizing on a chance to get a strong return from Jacksonville, the Jets pushed a narrative that he is a key piece for their defense going forward. But with the Jaguars now having spent big on Bates and Davis, it’s highly unlikely that kind of offer is still on the table for McDonald. It is too early to call it a “massive” mistake, but there is no denying this was a huge missed opportunity to get a very strong haul for an edge rusher who clearly wants a change of scenery. What now, Jets? This is going to sting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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