Jets' Will McDonald IV wants to be traded, per report

Jets edge rusher Will McDonald reportedly wants out because of how little he’s been put in games this season.

McDonald played just 24 of 66 defensive snaps in the Jets’ 35-12 loss to Kansas City. The former first-round pick has become more of a situational player in Aaron Glenn’s defense. McDonald has played only 46% of the Jets’ defensive snaps – his lowest since his rookie year in 2023. He played 66% the past two seasons.

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday. The Jets haven’t shown any inclination to move McDonald, but that could change now.

Selected 15th overall, McDonald led the Jets with 10 ½ sacks in 2024 under then-head coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. McDonald had eight last year under Glenn.

This season, McDonald has just three. He’s started only two games and played fewer than 40% of the snaps six times.

McDonald’s role was expected to decrease this season after the Jets drafted edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick and signed edge rushers Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare in free agency.

McDonald is under contract for $13.8 million next season after the Jets picked up his fifth-year option in the spring.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.