The trade calls are coming for the 0-6 New York Jets.
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler expects the San Francisco 49ers to inquire about the Jets’ available pass rushers ahead of the November 4 NFL trade deadline.
He specifically mentioned Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald as “potential options.”
“The 49ers have been scanning the trade market for pass-rush options,” Fowler explained.
Johnson Already the Subject of Trade Calls
The former Florida State product is 26 years of age and has two years remaining on his rookie contract.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed this week that Johnson’s name has “come up for several teams in need of edge help in trade discussions.”
Gang Green is asking for “a lot” in return if they were to part with Johnson, “a team involved in those conversations” explained to Hughes.
McDonald’s Name Popping up in Trade Rumors Is New
Johnson’s name being mentioned was reported earlier in the week, but McDonald’s appearance in trade rumors is new information.
McDonald, 26, has a year and a half left on his rookie contract through the 2026 season. During the 2026 offseason, the Jets will have to decide on McDonald’s fifth-year team option for the 2027 season. If they accept it, he will be under team control for the next two seasons. If they decline it, McDonald would be scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
According to Over The Cap, McDonald’s fifth-year team option is projected to be worth a fully guaranteed $14.97 million. That annual salary would rank No. 24 among the highest-paid pass rushers in football, per OTC.
Through his first two and a half seasons, McDonald has collected 15.5 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three pass deflections, and a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown.
Jets Have to Decide Who They Want to Pay
Pass rushers are one of the premium positions in football. You can never have enough good ones.
The Jets have a pair of really talented edge defenders, but both are going to be due for a pay raise. Will the Jets pay one or both? If not, trading them becomes an easier decision.
McDonald is a highly successful pass rusher coming off a career year, finishing with 10.5 sacks in 2024. However, he is an incomplete player.
Earlier this season, McDonald was accused of being a “major liability” on defense against the run.
“Will McDonald is once again BY FAR PFF’s lowest-graded run-defending EDGE in the NFL this season. His 29.2 PFF run defense grade is over 10.0 full points lower than any other player. McDonald was also the lowest-graded qualified run-defender in 2024,” analyst Justin Fried posted on social media.
Would the Jets be willing to pay a player with a special set of skills, but also someone who can’t be on the field at all times?
A difficult question to process, considering his high-end talent.
The Trade Calls Won’t Be Stopping Anytime Soon
When you’re the worst team in football, the vultures start swarming. The Jets are much more likely to be sellers than buyers at the deadline.
This new regime needs to bring in its own players and maximize assets. That could include shipping off some expiring contracts to contending teams to accelerate the rebuild.
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