Will McDonald IV Requests Jets Trade Over Reduced Role
Will McDonald IV requested a trade from the New York Jets on Monday, November 9. A person familiar with his decision said he was frustrated with his reduced playing time.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said he expected the 27-year-old pass rusher to stay with the Jets. “I just know we’re in the business of keeping good players, so Will’s going to be here.” Glenn spoke at the teamβs Monday morning press conference in Florham Park, New Jersey.
The request followed Sundayβs 35-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which dropped the Jets to 2-7. The team is headed toward an 11th consecutive losing season, and its playoff drought could reach 16 years.
McDonaldβs Role on Defense
McDonald played 46% of the Jetsβ defensive snaps through nine games in 2026, down from 66% over the previous two seasons. He recorded three sacks and played 37% of the Jetsβ special teams snaps.
The Jets selected McDonald 15th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He matched his current sack total as a rookie, then led the team with 10.5 sacks in 2024 under the previous coaching staff.
He finished with eight sacks in 2025, six of them in two games.
The Jets switched from a 4-3 front to a 3-4 defense this season. McDonald, who weighs 245 pounds, has struggled against the run.
Those difficulties and the arrival of three edge rushers have narrowed his role to situational work.
New York drafted David Bailey at No. 2 overall and added Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare during the offseason. Glenn said he had spoken privately with McDonald about the direction of the defense and described the conversation positively, according to ESPN.
Contract and Trade Deadline
Other teams showed interest in acquiring McDonald last year. The Jets kept him and exercised his fifth-year option, which guarantees him $13.752 million for the 2027 season.
McDonald is in the fourth year of his original rookie deal, worth $17,497,690 over four years.
The Jetsβ front office has the final say on any trade. Under the NFLβs collective bargaining agreement, a playerβs request alone cannot compel a deal.
Any trade the Jets agree to would have to be registered with the NFLManagement Council****.
The Jetsβ transaction history under general manager Darren Mougey includes 14 trades in 14 months, including deals that brought in draft picks for Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.
“Never say never, but right now I know weβre gonna stand pat,” Glenn said of the teamβs deadline plans. He said he and Mougey continued to discuss potential moves.
The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ETonTuesday, November 10.
Latest response.
GPT-6.1 Sol
Medium
None
Minimal****
Light
Medium
High
ExtraHigh
Max
Ultra
Persistent. This story was first reported by New York Daily News.
