New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV has requested a trade after growing frustrated with his usage, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Monday. The Jets, however, do not plan to shop him around.
McDonald, a first-round pick in 2023 whose playing time has steadily diminished, approached the coaching staff weeks ago about getting more opportunities, a source said. With nothing materializing, he informed the team that he wants out. The trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn shut down the idea of a deal on Monday morning. "I just know we're in the business of keeping good players, so Will's going to be here," Glenn said on a video conference.
McDonald is a holdover from the previous regime, which selected him 15th overall. He posted 10.5 sacks in 2024 but never clicked with the current coaching staff, which arrived in 2025. Glenn had been convinced he would have a huge impact on McDonald, suggesting in August 2025 that the edge rusher had not been coached properly by the prior staff.
McDonald started for Glenn in 2025, but the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense and added edge rushers David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick, Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare last offseason, turning McDonald into a situational player. Undersized at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, he has struggled against the run.
In nine games, McDonald has three sacks, one forced fumble and 13 tackles over 263 defensive snaps. He has played more than 30 snaps only once in the past five games, and his frustration grew to the point that he asked for a role on special teams, a source said.
Glenn said he had a long talk with McDonald the other day, calling it "a really good conversation." The discussion took place before Sunday's 35-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, so it evidently did little to ease McDonald's frustration. He played only 23 snaps on defense in that game. "He's a good player and I still believe that," Glenn said. "We're going to continue to try to put him in a position to make plays for us."
McDonald drew interest at last year's trade deadline, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly among the suitors, but the Jets kept him and eventually exercised his fifth-year option. As a result, he is due to make a guaranteed $13.8 million in 2027, the final year of his contract.
With the deadline approaching, the Jets are not expected to be nearly as active as last year, when they dealt defensive stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in two blockbuster moves that left them with three first-round picks in the upcoming draft. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall have been mentioned in rumors, but the Jets have no interest in trading them, sources said. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who has yet to play a defensive snap, told ESPN he is open to a trade and has shared that with the organization.
"Never say never, but right now I know we're going to stand pat," Glenn said. "Listen, we're in the business of keeping good players, and that's how I see it. But never say never. You never know what's going to happen. Me and (GM Darren Mougey) continue to talk about these things and see how it goes."
