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Will McDonald IV has told the New York Jets he wants a trade, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday, one day before the NFL trade deadline.
McDonald "has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage," Rapoport wrote on X. Rapoport added, "The former first-rounder wants more opportunities and the team is aware."
#Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV has informed the team that he wants to be traded, sources say.
McDonald has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage. The former first-rounder wants more opportunities and the team is aware.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2026
Teams have called the Jets about McDonald, but the club has not entered trade talks, NBC Sports reported, citing Rapoport. It was not known which teams had called.
The Jets had previously indicated they did not intend to trade McDonald, and the pass rusher cannot compel them to make a deal.
McDonald, 27, was a starter for most of the past two seasons, but the Jets have used him in a rotation this year. He lost his starting spot after the offseason additions of David Bailey, Kingsley Enagbare and others to the roster.
McDonald has appeared in each of the Jets' nine games, though he has taken part in fewer than half their defensive snaps. The Sporting News put his snap share at 66% across the previous two seasons, compared with 46% this year.
McDonald has recorded three sacks this season, bringing his career total to 24.5.
His other season totals include 16 tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
The Jets drafted McDonald in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, then exercised the fifth-year option on his contract ahead of this season.
During their latest losing season, the Jets have resisted moving running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. They dealt key players at the 2025 deadline for what The Sporting News described as huge returns.
Before Rapoport's report, Sports Illustrated suggested the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans as possible destinations for McDonald in a Nov. 6 article. Former Jets coach Robert Saleh is in charge in Tennessee, where he has brought back former Jets players suited to his wide-nine defensive alignment.
It was not immediately known what the Jets would seek in return for McDonald.
The deadline arrives Tuesday afternoon.