New York Jets pass rusher Will McDonald IV, frustrated by his usage, has requested a trade, sources told the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Monday.
McDonald, a 2023 first-round pick whose playing time has diminished, approached the coaches weeks ago about more opportunities, a source said. Nothing has materialized, so he informed the team he wants out.
The Jets aren't actively shopping him, a source said. The trading deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
McDonald was a holdover from the previous regime, which drafted him 16th overall. He recorded 10.5 sacks in 2024, but he never clicked with the current coaching staff, which arrived in 2025.
Aaron Glenn was convinced he'd have a huge impact on McDonald, suggesting in August, 2025 that he wasn't coached properly by the previous staff.
McDonald started for Glenn in 2025, but the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense and added edge rushers David Bailey (No. 2 overall pick), Joseph Ossai and Kinglsey Enagbare last offseason, making McDonald a situational player.
Undersized at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, McDonald has struggled against the run.
In nine games, he has three sacks, one forced fumble and 13 tackles in 263 defensive snaps. He was so frustrated by his lack of playing time that asked for a role on special teams, a source said. He has played more than 30 snaps only once in the last five games.
McDonald drew interest at last year's trade deadline - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly were a suitor - but the Jets kept him and eventually exercised his fifth-year option.
As a result, McDonald is due to make a guaranteed $13.8 million in 2027, the final year of his contract.
McDonald became the second player to express frustration with his role. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who has yet to play a defensive snap, told ESPN that he's open to a trade and has shared that with the organization.