Jets DE Will McDonald Requests Trade

McDonald has requested a trade, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. To no surprise, a lack of playing time is driving this move. The former first-rounder has only handled a rotational role in 2026, the second year with head coach Aaron Glenn in place and the first since New York switched to a 3-4 defense. Efforts to improve the situation between McDonald and the coaching staff have not worked, Brian Costello of the New York Post adds.

Per Rapoport, interest has once again been shown in this case leading up to tomorrow’s trade deadline. The Jets’ preference is still to avoid a deal sending McDonald to a new team, however. New York picked up his fifth-year option last spring, meaning the Iowa State product is on the books for 2027 at a cost of $13.75MM.

When speaking to the media on Monday, Glenn said (via Costello) McDonald is going to remain in place. The 27-year-old has posted three sacks and nine QB pressures through nine games this season. McDonald’s best year came in 2024 (10.5 sacks, 38 pressures), but under Glenn things have not gone according to plan. New York also invested along the edge in free agency and the draft this past offseason, signing Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai before selecting David Bailey second overall in April.

Glenn reiterated (h/t The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt) the Jets’ plan of standing pat on the trade front this year. That would of course represent a departure from 2025’s approach, which led to Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams being dealt. Second-year general manager Darren Mougey has not been shy when it comes to making trades, but notable moves involving the likes of receiver Garrett Wilson or running back Breece Hall are not expected. It appears McDonald is also in line to continue his Jets tenure.

New York lost for the fourth week in a row on Sunday. The team’s record now stands at 2-7 as a result, and the expectation of a Glenn firing continues to grow. While moves on the sidelines could be in store by the end of the campaign, a quiet approach to the trade deadline appears likely.