Aaron Glenn said Monday that he expects the struggling New York Jets to keep their roster largely intact through the NFL trade deadline, despite a 2-7 record, a four-game losing streak and the growing likelihood of a 16th consecutive season without a playoff berth.
"Well, never say never, but right now, I know we're going to stand pat," the embattled coach said. "We're in the business of keeping good players and that's how I see it." The deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST.
Glenn's stance comes even after edge rusher Will McDonald IV requested a trade amid frustration over a diminished role in the defense. McDonald, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft under the team's previous regime, has just three sacks this season and has shifted into more of a situational role after recording a career-high 10 1/2 sacks in 2024.
At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, McDonald is considered slightly undersized on a defensive front that favors bigger, more powerful edge rushers such as rookie David Bailey and veterans Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai. Glenn nonetheless insisted McDonald has a place in New York. "Will's going to be here," he said, adding that the two share a good relationship and had "a really good conversation" last week.
The patient approach contrasts sharply with a year ago, when general manager Darren Mougey pulled off two stunning deadline deals, sending star cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to Dallas. Those moves brought back three first-round picks, a second-rounder and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
While the Jets are not expected to actively shop players, playoff contenders could still call Mougey to gauge interest. Judging from Glenn's remarks, stars such as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall appear to be staying put, though McDonald and little-used cornerback Nahshon Wright could prove attractive to other teams.
One thing that could change is how Glenn operates on game days. He took over defensive play-calling duties this season with coordinator Brian Duker helping oversee the unit, and he recently acknowledged the difficulty of running the defense while also managing the entire team. The unit has struggled in recent weeks, repeatedly failing to get off the field in crucial situations. "I'm looking at everything and I'm looking at ways for us to improve," Glenn said. "I'm not saying that is going to be the change, but I'm looking at everything."
On the field Sunday, the Jets reached the Kansas City 4-yard line on their opening possession before settling for a field goal, and their next two drives ended in kicks as well when touchdowns were needed to keep pace with the Chiefs. New York ran 32 plays in Kansas City territory, 25 of them in the first half, without reaching the end zone. Bailey delivered a terrific performance in his return from a groin injury, collecting two sacks, six quarterback pressures, nine tackles and two forced fumbles to raise his season total to 7 1/2 sacks. Mitchell, a week after a breakout game with seven catches for a career-high 142 yards and a touchdown, was held without a reception and dropped two passes on seven targets.
Glenn reported no new injuries from the game, though Wilson sat out with a concussion. Hall gained 61 yards on 15 carries in his first game back after missing five with a quadriceps injury, but after Hall and Braelon Allen combined for 87 yards on 19 first-half carries, the Jets ran only four running plays for 7 yards in the second half. New York hosts AFC East rival Buffalo on Sunday, looking to avoid its first five-game losing streak since dropping the final five games of last season.
