The New York Jets are heading towards the 2026 NFL trade deadline without a lot of huge moves planned. This isn’t going to be a repeat of 2025, when key players were traded for huge returns.
Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are unlikely to go anywhere. But that doesn’t mean they won’t consider making trades. And now, their hand might be forced by one of their players requesting a trade.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jets first-round edge rusher Will McDonald IV has requested a trade, as he’s reportedly “extremely frustrated” with his role right now and would like to join a new team in hopes of a better role.
Jets’ Will McDonald IV requests trade amid frustrations over role
“Jets pass-rusher Will McDonald IV has informed the team that he wants to be traded, sources say,” Rapoport reports. “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.”
While McDonald can’t force the Jets to trade him, this trade request puts pressure on the Jets to find a trade partner for the fourth-year edge rusher.
McDonald, now 27 years old, has played in all nine games for the Jets this season. But after playing 66% of the snaps for the Jets the past two seasons, he’s fallen way down to 46% of the snaps for the Jets in 2026.
With David Bailey, Kingsley Enagbare, and others joining this Jets roster over the offseason, McDonald lost his starting role and is now just a rotational edge rusher.
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He wants out and is requesting a trade amid those frustrations. There are plenty of teams that could use edge rusher help, like the Chicago Bears, so the Jets should be able to find a trade partner.
But when it comes to what kind of return Darren Mougey wants for the fourth-year edge rusher, it’s unknown if they’ll be able to find such an offer.
In four seasons, McDonald has 24.5 sacks, including 3.0 this season in his limited role. There’s potential here with McDonald, and a contender in need of pass rush help should consider adding him now that his trade request is public.
The Jets don’t have to trade him, and they’ve previously shown an indication that they don’t plan to move him.
But McDonald is requesting a trade, which has got the ball rolling on a potential trade, now that teams can make offers that’ll be taken more seriously.
