Braiden McGregor has already done plenty most players never manage. He won a national championship at Michigan, got to the NFL as an undrafted free agent, and stuck on the New York Jets’ roster for the last two seasons.
That part of the story is real. The next chapter is a lot less certain.
McGregor heads into his third NFL season fighting for one of the last openings in the Jets’ edge-rusher group, and the room around him looks much stronger than it did a year ago. David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, and Kingsley Enagbare have all been added, while Will McDonald returns as what the article describes as the team’s best pure pass rusher.
That leaves McGregor in a crowded fight with 2025 fifth-round pick Tyler Baron, former UDFA Eric Watts, undrafted rookie Nathan Voorhis, and veteran Kingsley Jonathan for what could amount to just one or two roster or practice squad spots. A year ago, the path was there. This time, it’s narrowed fast.
The Jets did give McGregor a real shot in 2025. He played 265 defensive snaps and appeared in 12 games, with injuries and a thin depth chart opening the door. But he never turned that chance into meaningful production.
According to Pro Football Focus, McGregor finished with 14 tackles, 11 pressures and no sacks. Among 129 qualified edge defenders, he ranked 128th with a 41.9 overall PFF grade and 128th with a 33.1 run-defense grade. His 2.0 percent run-stop rate was last at the position, and his 6.9 percent pressure rate was fourth worst.
The only player who graded lower overall was Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart, which at least gives McGregor one odd little consolation.
There were a few flashes. He batted down two passes, which tied for 10th among NFL edge defenders, and he closed the preseason with a strong showing against the Eagles’ fourth-stringers, piling up five pressures and a sack. The tools that made him an interesting undrafted signing still show up.
But at some point, traits have to become results. Through two seasons, McGregor still hasn’t looked like a reliable NFL player.
Making the 53-man roster now feels like a long shot. The Jets already have four edge rushers with guaranteed spots, and they may not even keep more than that on the active roster. That makes the practice squad the more realistic target.
For McGregor, the goal is straightforward: outplay the other fringe edge defenders and earn another shot. If he can do that, whether in New York or elsewhere, he might buy himself another year in the league.
In Other News...
Jets Suddenly Linked To A Wild Quarterback Lifeline
The Jets quarterback picture already had a placeholder feel to it, with Geno Smith expected to handle the 2026 season while the team keeps one eye on the next wave of passers. Against that backdrop, any outside chatter about a longer-term answer is going to catch attention, even if it comes wrapped in more imagination than certainty.
NFL.com took that idea to a surprising place by floating a reunion with Frank Reich as part of a wild comeback scenario for Andrew Luck, though the notion still sits firmly in the realm of long-shot speculation. Luck has not played in years, and while the fit is easy to picture on paper, the broader reality is that a return to the league remains highly unlikely. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Linked To Familiar Quarterback Idea As Backup Anxiety Builds
The Jets have settled on Geno Smith as their Week 1 starter, but the depth chart behind him is still in flux, and that has kept the backup quarterback conversation alive around the team. Bailey Zappe is currently listed as the No. 2, while rookie Cade Klubnik is also in the mix after being drafted, leaving New York with a room that has some experience but not much clarity beyond the starter.
One name drawing attention is Will Levis, who is stuck lower on the Tennessee depth chart and entering the final year of team control. He has starting experience, which is part of what makes him an intriguing fit for a team still weighing its quarterback insurance, even if no trade or roster move has been made and the situation remains one to watch as the Jets sort out their options. [Read more 🡒]
Jets May Have Finally Unlocked Will McDonalds Best Value
Will McDonalds future with the Jets is already sorted for at least one more season, and the teams decision to pick up his fifth-year option shows it still sees real value in his pass-rush burst. Since arriving, McDonald has looked the part when it comes to getting after the quarterback, even if his all-around game has been uneven enough to keep his role from feeling settled.
The interesting part now is how New York chooses to use him. With more depth around the defensive line, the Jets may have a chance to trim his workload and put him in more obvious passing situations, where his strengths can show up more often and his weaknesses can be sheltered a bit. If that happens, McDonald could wind up being more than just a talented edge player, but the cleaner, more efficient piece this defense has been waiting to unlock. [Read more 🡒]