The New York Jets’ pass rush has been one of the clearest problems on a 2-5 team that is already flirting with another deadline selloff. Outside of coaching issues, this defense has too often failed to generate heat on opposing quarterbacks, and unless rookie David Bailey finds a groove or Kingsley Enagbare wins with effort, the pressure just isn’t there.
That’s why the idea of buying at the trade deadline might actually make sense for the Jets. It sounds backward for a team in this spot, but if Darren Mougey wants to set up long-term success, there’s an intriguing target sitting in Los Angeles: Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu.
The winless Chargers still have not given Tuipulotu a long-term extension, which opens the door for New York to make a move. If the Jets can get ahead of free agency, they could land a player who fits as part of the solution in 2027 rather than just another short-term patch.
The template for that kind of move is already out there. The Chicago Bears took the same route when they traded a second-round pick for Montez Sweat and then locked him up on a long-term deal. Since arriving in Chicago, Sweat has posted 23.5 sacks in 47 games and given them a dependable presence up front.
Tuipulotu is coming off a quieter stretch statistically, with just two sacks this season after racking up 13.0 last year. Even so, he remains well regarded, sitting as a top-30 edge rusher in Pro Football Focus’ view and ranking in the top 20 in pressures. On a Chargers team mired in disappointment, he has still stood out.
For the Jets, the appeal goes beyond the numbers. Their edge group has lacked a forceful set-the-edge presence with a full bag of pass-rush moves.
Speed rushers like Bailey and Will McDonald can get upfield, but tackles can overset, and quarterbacks can simply climb the pocket. Tuipulotu would help fix that problem.
There’s also the timing. Both the Jets and Chargers are expected to have plenty of cap room, which could set up a competitive market for Tuipulotu if he reaches free agency. A trade and extension now would let New York sidestep that fight and add a high-end piece to a defense that needs more talent at the top.
The draft route doesn’t offer an obvious easy answer, either. The Jets do have three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, but the edge class is not loaded. Colin Simmons is likely out of range, Dylan Stewart brings baggage, and Yhonzae Pierre’s scouting report looks a lot like Bailey’s.
That leaves the Jets with a pretty simple question: keep waiting for the pass rush to solve itself, or go get a player who can change how this front looks. If New York wants Bailey paired with someone who can truly threaten offensive tackles, Tuipulotu stands out as a real option. And with enough draft capital to consider a mid-round price, the Jets may have a chance to improve their 2026 roster while locking in a long-term contributor at the same time.
In Other News...
Jets Passing Debate Now Centers On One Garrett Wilson Question
Garrett Wilsons frustration with his role in the passing game has become part of the conversation around the Jets offense, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich is not trying to smooth it over. Reich described the receivers desire for more targets as healthy tension while defending a plan that spreads the ball around instead of locking onto one option, even as Wilson has remained the teams most productive pass catcher this season with 37 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns.
The latest flashpoint came in the recent game against Miami, where the Jets again tried to balance getting Wilson involved with keeping the rest of the passing game active. Reich pointed to how attention on Wilson can create chances elsewhere, including for Omar Cooper Jr., but the larger issue remains the same for a team that has struggled to win games: finding an offense that keeps its top receiver engaged without making the attack too predictable. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Lose T'Vondre Sweat And Now Face A Tough Timeline
The Jets have lost another piece in the middle of their defense, placing defensive tackle TVondre Sweat on injured reserve and forcing him out for at least the next four games. Sweat had become a steady presence in the rotation, appearing in seven games and contributing 17 combined tackles along with two tackles for loss before the setback.
For a defense built around controlling the line of scrimmage, the timing is less than ideal, and it leaves the Jets with a short-term hole to patch in Aaron Glenns 3-4 front. The club still believes Sweat can be back later this season, but the immediate challenge is finding enough stability inside while he works his way toward a return. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Sent A Clear Message In The Will McDonald Debate
Will McDonald IV has become one of the more interesting names on the Jets roster as the season has worn on, and not just because of his play. According to Sports Illustrateds Albert Breer, there has been significant trade interest in the edge rusher, a sign that other teams still see value in a player whose production has not matched the expectation around him this year.
For the Jets, though, the message has been clear. They have not moved him, and with his fifth-year option already exercised, McDonald remains under team control through 2027. Even with the numbers not jumping off the page, New York appears intent on riding out the rest of the season with him in the mix rather than turning a draft pick into a short-term fix. [Read more 🡒]