Micah McFadden, Giants
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New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden trying to make a play during an NFL Game against the Washington Commanders.
The New York Jets have a backup plan just in case.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed on social media that the Jets have “interest” in New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden ahead of free agency. However, there is a catch.
The Jets’ preferred plan is to land Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, but the problem is that he has a “robust market,” according to Hughes.
If the money for Anzalone gets out of control, the Jets could pivot to McFadden, “but the Giants are trying to retain him”, Hughes said.
Connor Hughes
The biggest name to keep an eye on with the #Jets is LB Alex Anzalone, per sources. They’ve been linked for awhile. There’s a robust market for him, though. I don’t get the sense it’s a slam dunk signing.
Fallback for #NYJ could be Micah McFadden, but the #Giants are trying to
The Details on Giants LB Curiosity
McFadden, 26, entered the league as the No. 146 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
He has spent his entire four-year career to this point with the Giants. The former Indiana product has appeared in 48 games and has made 36 starts.
With those opportunities, McFadden has registered 270 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, six sacks, 15 quarterback hits, six pass deflections, an interception, two forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
Last year, he only appeared in one game after suffering a season-ending foot injury.
Art Stapleton of North Jersey dot com revealed that, “Micah himself said in conversations I had with him late in the year that he expected to have to take a 1-year prove it deal coming off the foot injury.”
Micah himself said in conversations I had with him late in the year that he expected to have to take a 1-year prove it deal coming off the foot injury. https://t.co/Q8xwBStMVi
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 4, 2026
Spotrac’s calculated market value projects McFadden to sign a one-year $2.4 million contract. That $2.4 million annual salary would place him No. 54 among the highest-paid off-ball-linebackers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Anzalone Hype Appears Very Real Ahead of Free Agency
If the Jets want to reunite Anzalone and head coach Aaron Glenn, it’s going to cost a pretty penny.
Insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports revealed that Anzalone and the Jets have “mutual interest” in linking up this offseason. However, his developing market “could complicate” that potential signing.
“Several teams have expressed an interest in signing Anzalone to a multi-year deal as the linebacker inches towards retirement. This means the Jets may have to pay above market value to reel him in,” Pauline wrote.
Several anonymous NFL executives told ESPN that Anzalone is a “top sleeper free agent” … “Scouts and coaches like him more than the public. He has a market.”
Jets Are Exploring All Levels of the Market
If the green and white are in on the Anzalone market, it appears they’re willing to spend.
Interstingly Hughes noted that McFadden could be a fallback option if things don’t work out. That would be the complete opposite side of the linebacker market. Stapleton believes McFadden will sign a one-year prove-it deal for very little money.
It’s very cliché, but the Jets are leaving no stone unturned.
Regardless of which direction the Jets go, they need to upgrade the linebacker position. The team hasn’t been the same in the middle since they lost C.J. Mosley. Barring something unforseen that knight in shining armor won’t be busting back through that door any time soon.
So the green and white have to find answers and free agency is the first way to fill that void this offseason.