Can Nate Lynn Juice up Jets Putrid Pass Rush?

Aaron Glenn and the Jets defense has a huge problem that might be improved by preseason standout Nate Lynn.  Despite loading up on the defensive line via the NFL draft and multiple trades, the Jets don’t have anyone on the roster who can get to the quarterback.  Number two overall pick David Bailey is winning just 4.3% of his pass rush reps (per PFF) and Will McDonald hasn’t had a sack since week one.

Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets defensive end Nate Lynn (92) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

So now we get a look Lynn.  The former Lion, Titan and Jaguar was a standout for the Jets during the preseason. He’ll take the place of Braiden McGregor, who is going on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season.

But how much can the Jets really expect out of Lynn?  Well, that depends on whether or not they’ve done a good job of evaluating him.  If it took an injury to work his way on to the roster of a team with no pass rush to speak of, it tells us the Jets don’t believe he’ll add much at all.  However, this is hardly a staff that has built a reputation for identifying and/or developing premium talent.  If that were the case, there wouldn’t be much need for Lynn to boost their pass rush.

In two games this preseason, Lynn managed to pick up 2.5 sacks on just 31 pass rush attempts while flashing an impressive spin move and excellent motor.

If the Jets want Lynn, or any of their pass rushers for that matter, to have a bigger impact, they’re going to need better coverage on the back end in the secondary.  If we’re going to look at the lack of production from the likes of Bailey and McDonald, we should be fair and acknowledge the fact that opposing quarterbacks are able to get rid of the ball and find an open man in under two seconds.  Good luck getting to the QB under those circumstances.

But on the flip side of that, there are of course times, no matter how rare, that quarterbacks are wanting to sit back to scan the field and without the Jets blitzing, have far too much time to do so.

When the first round picks (McDonald and Bailey) aren’t getting it done, it’s not great to have to look for a practice squad journeyman to help fix the problem, but here we are.

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a KansasCityProFootball member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.