The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense is no slouch, but injuries have dulled the edge of Vic Fangio’s pass rush. Through five weeks of the 2025 season, the Eagles have managed just seven sacks—tied for the third-lowest in the NFL. Fresh off their first loss, and with the trade deadline looming on November 4, GM Howie Roseman has a golden opportunity to shake things up. Enter Will McDonald, the New York Jets’ 25-year-old edge rusher, whose freakish athleticism and untapped potential could transform Philly’s defensive front into a nightmare for opposing offenses.
McDonald, the Jets’ 2023 first-round pick, is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound specimen with long arms and an uncanny ability to bend around blockers like a contortionist. His rookie year was modest—3.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and five QB hits in 15 games off the bench. But in 2024, he erupted for 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and 24 QB hits across 17 games, starting 15. This season, he’s already notched 2.0 sacks in five weeks, proving he’s no flash in the pan.
What makes McDonald even more enticing? His contract. Locked into a rookie deal through 2026 with a fifth-year option for 2027, he carries cap hits of just $4.5 million in 2025 and $5 million in 2026. For an Eagles team already paying big bucks to stars like Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, McDonald’s cost-controlled deal is a financial slam dunk.
The Eagles’ edge rotation is hurting. Nolan Smith is sidelined on injured reserve, Ogbo Okoronkwo can’t stay healthy, and Azeez Ojulari is solid but unspectacular. Last year’s high-profile signing, Bryce Huff, flopped and was shipped to San Francisco in June. Fangio’s scheme thrives on dynamic edge rushers who can win quickly and disrupt game plans, and McDonald fits the bill perfectly. Paired with interior beasts Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, who collapse pockets from the middle, McDonald could wreak havoc off the edge, forcing opponents to rethink their protection schemes.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/Michael_Nania/status/1835770645113966756
The Jets, sitting at a dismal 0-5, might be open to a fire sale, but they won’t let McDonald go cheaply. Comparable trades offer a benchmark: Montez Sweat fetched a second-round pick, while Brian Burns cost a second and a fifth before signing a long-term deal. McDonald, younger and under team control for multiple seasons, could command a premium. A fair offer might include Philadelphia’s 2026 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 third-rounder that upgrades to a second if McDonald hits 8.0 sacks or plays 60% of defensive snaps over the next two seasons. This structure balances risk for the Eagles while giving the Jets valuable draft capital.
Roseman has built a reputation for bold, unexpected moves, and trading for McDonald would fit his playbook. The NFC is wide open in 2025, and a dominant pass rusher could be the difference between a playoff,UA good run and a Super Bowl push. McDonald’s speed, bend, and relentless motor align seamlessly with Fangio’s system, making him a potential game-changer for a defense craving a spark.