Why did the Jets stand pat at the NFL trade deadline?

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets are coming off their worst loss of the season and are two defeats away from cliching a losing record for the 11th straight year. Yet Aaron Glenn said one of the reasons they were quiet at the trade deadline is their belief that they are close to breaking through.

“We feel like we like the players that we have in the building to be able to help us do that,” Glenn said Wednesday morning before he proceeded to break down the Jets’ 2-7 record.

Glenn mentioned that the Jets dropped five games to playoff-caliber teams and cited that five losses were by seven points or fewer. He also pointed out the exact margin of defeat in each of those five games.

“We feel like we're right on the cusp of trying to break through, and we're going to do everything we can to do that, and that's my responsibility,” Glenn said. “I just have to continue to look hard.....at what we're doing to make sure that we get ourselves over that hump to start winning these games.”

Glenn is right. Coaching matters.

You can’t absolve the players. A lack of execution has contributed to those five narrow defeats. But coaching decisions and play-calling on both sides of the football have played bigger roles in the Jets being 2-7, instead of 5-4 or even 6-3.

The way this season has gone, it made more sense for the Jets to be sellers at the deadline and accumulate more draft capital instead of holding on to players who might not be part of their future.,

The only trade the Jets made was sending Valley Stream’s Andre Cisco to Detroit for a future sixth-round pick.

“We know what we're trying to do here in the building” Glenn said. “We're always going to make the best decisions for what we have.”

That raises the question: Who is deciding who is part of the Jets’ future?

Glenn would seem to be on shaky ground because of his 5-21 record since becoming Jets’ coach. But he had some say in the decision to mostly stand pat at the deadline. He is trying to win to save his job.

General manager Darren Mougey has to be on more solid footing. But, with the Jets, you can never say never about anything when owner Woody Johnson ultimately calls the shots. Johnson and Glenn have a good relationship. There were multiple reports that the Jets wanted to keep this team together to give Glenn every opportunity to prove himself.

Glenn said you always pick up the phone when other teams call, but he also used the word “speculation” regarding some of the trade rumors that were out there.

Teams undoubtedly checked to see if the Jets would make Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall or Geno Smith available. Edge rusher Will McDonald, who requested a trade due to frustration over his decreased role on defense, drew interest, but apparently not enough to make the Jets pull the trigger. 

There was a report that the Jets were offered something significant from Jacksonville for McDonald. Glenn said that was “speculation” and reminded reporters that earlier in the week, “I was very to the point when I said we’re not trading Will. Will’s a huge part of what we’re doing.”

He hasn’t been, though.

McDonald spoke to Glenn and the Jets’ defensive coaches last week about his role. Glenn said there were some packages planned for McDonald last Sunday. Then he played just 24 snaps in a 23-point loss in Kansas City.

It was the fifth time that McDonald played 25 snaps or fewer this season. Sunday was the tipping point for McDonald, who said he requested a trade “because I wasn’t playing enough.”

The Jets, aside from rookie David Bailey, haven’t generated much of a pass rush. McDonald had 10 ½ sacks in 2024 playing for Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich. He has only three this season and has become a situational player.

McDonald admitted it’s been “quite frustrating.” He said he was “not expecting” to be traded Tuesday and that he would continue to be a professional.

“There's no hard feelings with the coaches and staff or anybody here,” McDonald said. “I just want to play, and I just want to help the team win.”

Glenn described McDonald’s pass rush as “second to none” and indicated that he has “earned the right” to play more. McDonald hopes Glenn is true to his word.

“Every player wants to get on the field and help the team win. It’s not rocket science,” McDonald said. “Ultimately, the goal is to win, and I want to help the team.”

It’s up to Glenn to put McDonald in position to succeed and be productive. Coaching matters.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.