Jets' Will McDonald IV Requests Trade; Aaron Glenn Says 'Will Is Going to Be Here'
The 2023 first-round pass rusher is frustrated with a shrinking role, but the Jets coach shot down the idea of moving him before Tuesday's deadline
Jets pass rusher Will McDonald IV has told the team he wants to be traded, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday, one day before the deadline.
#Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV has informed the team that he wants to be traded, sources say. McDonald has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage. The former first-rounder wants more opportunities and the team is aware.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): #Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV has informed the team that he wants to be traded, sources say. McDonald has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage. The former first-rounder wants more opportunities and the team is aware.
The Jets don't sound interested. Aaron Glenn addressed it hours later and said plainly, "Will is going to be here," essentially saying the team doesn't want to trade good players, Rapoport added.
McDonald's frustration has been building. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, he approached the coaches weeks ago about more opportunities, and when nothing changed, he informed the team he wants out. He was so eager for snaps that he asked for a role on special teams, and he has played more than 30 defensive snaps only once in the past five games.
The 15th overall pick in 2023 was a holdover from the previous regime. He had 10.5 sacks in 2024 and started for Glenn last season, but the Jets moved to a 3-4 defense and added edge rushers David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick, along with Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare this offseason. That turned McDonald into a situational player. He has three sacks and a forced fumble in nine games.
Money is part of the picture, too. The Jets exercised his fifth-year option, so he's due a guaranteed $13.8 million in 2027, the final year of his contract.
McDonald is the second Jets player to voice unhappiness with his role, after cornerback Nahshon Wright told ESPN he's open to a trade. The Jets have also said they don't intend to trade Breece Hall. New York is 2-7 after four straight losses and hosts the Bills on Sunday, Nov. 15. The deadline is Tuesday at 1 PM PT.