Context:

With the Cowboys’ 2026 season floundering, analysts view a trade as a plausible fix by addressing their brittle pass rush. Dallas could target the Jets’ Will McDonald IV, a twitchy edge rusher whose production trends suggest a higher ceiling than the Cowboys’ current group. The Jets, having added multiple rushers this offseason, reportedly have depth to spare and may look to capitalize on McDonald’s expiring contract for draft capital. While a move hinges on availability and value, a talent infusion at the edge remains the anticipated catalyst to salvage the season and build for 2027.

Dive Deeper:

• The piece frames Dallas as underperforming defensively six games into the 2026 season, with an ineffective pass rush contributing to a bleak outlook under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

• Daniel Popper of The Athletic is cited listing Will McDonald among 50 trade candidates for the NFL deadline, highlighting him as a potential fit for the Cowboys due to his versatility and speed rushes, including an inside spin move.

• The Jets’ recent offseason additions at edge rusher—Joseph Ossai, David Bailey, and Kingsley Enagbare—are noted as reducing McDonald’s snaps and creating a surplus of depth that could facilitate a trade.

• McDonald’s performance data is cited: two sacks in 47% of snaps this season, with an 18.5-sack output across 32 games over the past two years, including a career-high 10.5 in 2024, suggesting he could bolster Dallas’ edge production.

• The analysis stresses the difficulty of acquiring elite edge rushers and suggests Dallas may need to settle for a higher tier class like McDonald, who could contribute both this season and next if acquired.

• The piece emphasizes that any potential deal would align with Dallas owner Jerry Jones’s willingness to pursue aggressive moves at the deadline, aiming to stabilize the defense and improve long-term prospects.