NFL rumors: Jets trade DT Steve McLendon to Buccaneers | What it means

The NFL trade deadline is still more than two weeks away, but Jets GM Joe Douglas has already started making moves.

The Jets traded veteran defensive tackle Steve McLendon to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to NJ Advance Media. The trade was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Along with McLendon, Douglas will send a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Bucs, while the Jets will receive a sixth-round pick in 2022.

McLendon, 34, was the longest-tenured member of the Jets after arriving in New York in 2016. He is in the final season of a two-year contract. McLendon started all six games for the Jets in 2020, including Sunday’s 24-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He had zero sacks and 14 tackles on the season.

With McLendon now gone, the Jets will have a starting spot open on the defensive line alongside Quinnen Williams and Henry Anderson. Folorunso Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers, Kyle Phillips and rookie Bryce Huff should be the biggest beneficiaries.

Jabari Zuniga, a 2020 third-round pick, has been on injured reserve all season, but he’ll also join the rotation when healthy.

Given the state of the 0-6 Jets, it’s hard to imagine Sunday’s trade will be the last for Douglas in the coming weeks before the deadline. Teams have until Nov. 3 to complete deals during the regular season.

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Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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