The Atlanta Falcons are a team to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, and Will McDonald IV has emerged as one of the more intriguing names tied to them.
McDonald’s link to Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is the obvious hook here. Atlanta has been connected to the Jets edge rusher ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, and that old connection makes the fit easy to understand. Ulbrich already got the best version of McDonald in New York, and the Falcons could use another proven pass rusher as they try to steady a defense that has been hit by injuries and uncertainty up front.
Atlanta sits at 3-6 after a blowout loss to the Bengals in Week 9, but the season is still hanging around. The Falcons are only one game behind in the NFC South, and while the next month brings a difficult stretch, the path is simple enough: stay afloat until the final three weeks.
That’s why a move like this matters. It’s not just about the present; it’s about adding a piece that could help beyond this season too.
McDonald was the No. 15 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he had his best year under Ulbrich in 2024, when he finished with 10.5 sacks. Since Aaron Glenn took over in New York, though, his role has shrunk.
Through eight games in 2026, he has 14 tackles and three sacks, and he has started only twice. The Jets have also brought in more pass rush help, including rookie No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, which has pushed McDonald further down the pecking order.
That’s the backdrop for the trade chatter. ESPN’s Rich Cimini pointed to Atlanta as a possible landing spot, and the logic is straightforward.
The Falcons need help, and McDonald has already shown he can be productive in Ulbrich’s system. Atlanta’s defense finished second in the NFL with a franchise record 57 sacks in 2025, but that level of pressure has been tougher to sustain this year because of injuries and suspensions.
Jalon Walker tore his ACL in training camp, and James Pearce Jr., who led Atlanta with 10.5 sacks last season, just came back from an eight-game suspension. Walker’s absence, in particular, leaves a hole in the rotation for the rest of the year. McDonald would not fix everything on the defensive line, but he would give Ulbrich another real edge option.
There is, however, a catch. The Jets are reportedly reluctant to move him, which means any deal would likely come at a steep price. McDonald also asked for a trade on Monday because he is unhappy with his role, so the situation is not exactly settled in New York.
For Atlanta, the appeal goes beyond a short-term rental. McDonald has already produced 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and he has a fifth-year option that was picked up. If the Falcons wanted to keep him around longer, a contract extension could be part of the conversation.
For now, there is no confirmed report that Atlanta has made an offer or opened talks with New York. But if the 2-7 Jets decide to listen, the Falcons have a built-in connection that makes this one worth watching.
In Other News...
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The trade deadline chatter around New York was not limited to its own roster, and one of the more surprising calls reportedly reached Atlanta. The Giants were said to have explored a deal for Bijan Robinson, a sign of just how aggressively they were searching for help before the deadline and how highly they viewed the Falcons running back.
From Atlantas side, the idea never really had much traction. Robinson is seen as a franchise cornerstone, and the Falcons recently locked him in with a new deal, making any move for him a long shot from the start. With New York also pulling back from its pursuit of Jonathan Taylor, the Giants appear set to move forward with what they have, while Atlanta continues building around one of its most important offensive pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Will Want To Know How Far This Bijan Pursuit Went
The Giants spent the 2026 NFL trade deadline exploring ways to shake up their roster, but they came away empty-handed after failing to complete any deals. Among the names they reportedly checked on were Jeffery Simmons, Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson, a sign they were at least kicking the tires on a major move before deciding to stand pat.
For Falcons fans, the Robinson mention is the one worth filing away. Atlanta has treated him like a centerpiece since handing him a three-year extension worth up to $75 million this offseason, and the fact that his name surfaced in deadline chatter only underscores how much league-wide interest there is in the running back. For now, the Giants will keep moving forward with Cam Skattebo in the backfield, while the Falcons can at least take note of how far the pursuit apparently went. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Just Changed Their Offensive Line Plan In A Big Way
The Falcons have altered the middle of their offensive line in a notable way, moving on from Ryan Neuzil after he spent the past two seasons as their full-time starting center. In return, Atlanta added guard Andrew Vorhees, a player who has already logged 22 starts for Baltimore since entering the league in 2023, along with a 2028 sixth-round draft pick.
The deal leaves a clear opening at center, and Corey Levin now appears to be in line for the first real chance to step into that role. For a line that has been trying to settle itself, this is a significant shift in the plan, with Atlanta betting on a different mix up front as it reshapes the interior around Vorhees and whatever comes next at center. [Read more 🡒]