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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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The New York Jets’ season may have hit rock bottom after Sunday’s 35-12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs dropped them to 2-7 — and things got even messier on Monday morning.
Jets defensive end Will McDonald’s frustration has been building all season and things have finally boiled over, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV has informed the team that he wants to be traded, sources say,” Rapoport posted on X. “McDonald has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage.”
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Rapoport added that teams have called the Jets about McDonald, but New York hasn’t engaged in trade talks. That might change now.
It’s not hard to see why the former first-round pick is frustrated either.
McDonald racked up 18.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, including a career-best 10.5 in 2024. However, the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense this year and added edge-rushers David Bailey (the No. 2 overall pick), Joseph Ossai, and Kingsley Enagbare, turning McDonald into a situational player rather than a defensive focal point.
He’s played roughly 46% of the defensive snaps this season after logging 66% in each of the previous two years, and he’s topped 30 snaps just once in the last five games.
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The 27-year-old McDonald, who has three sacks, a forced fumble, and 13 tackles in nine games, approached the coaches weeks ago about more opportunities, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
He was so desperate for playing time that he even asked for a role on special teams. Nothing materialized. However, the Jets don’t appear to be in any hurry to grant his wish.
“I just know we’re in the business of keeping good players,” head coach Aaron Glenn said Monday when asked about McDonald’s request, per SNY.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt also reported Glenn made it clear he expects McDonald to still be a Jet once the deadline passes.
New York doesn’t have to move McDonald either. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option in April, which keeps him under contract through next season when he’s due a guaranteed $13.8 million.
McDonald also drew interest at last year’s deadline — the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were reportedly a suitor — but the Jets held onto him, even as they shipped out Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.
He isn’t the only Jet looking for a way out. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who has yet to play a defensive snap this season, told ESPN he’s open to a trade and has shared that with the organization.
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