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Jets’ Will McDonald requests a trade over playing time frustration
Jets edge rusher Will McDonald has requested a trade, a source confirmed, with the NFL deadline one day away. The 2023 first-round pick is frustrated by reduced playing time, and the request may force New York to reconsider its earlier refusal to trade him.
McDonald has started two games this season and played 46 per cent of the defensive snaps, down from 66 per cent last year; he has three sacks this season and 24½ in his career. New York drafted David Bailey second overall and signed Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, while McDonald’s fifth-year option costs $13.8 million in 2027. The deadline is Tuesday at 4pm ET.
In short
- Will McDonald has requested a trade from the Jets.
- His defensive snap share has fallen to 46 per cent.
- Trading him would remove his $13.8 million 2027 option.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
McDonald was a first-round pick who has shown pass-rushing production, and his reduced role may limit his ability to contribute and build his career. With the Jets adding several edge rushers, a trade could give him a clearer opportunity while allowing the club to recover value before facing a costly fifth-year option.
The case against
The Jets can reasonably prioritise the defensive rotation and the players they believe best fit their plans, rather than guarantee a larger role based on draft position or past production. Keeping McDonald could preserve useful depth and give the team flexibility, especially if his current contribution remains valuable and a trade offer does not adequately compensate for his potential.
Explained simply
The New York Jets are an NFL team, and an edge rusher is a defender who tries to pressure the opposing quarterback and stop attacking plays. Will McDonald joined the Jets as a first-round draft pick in 2023, which means the team selected him early and invested in his potential.
A player’s share of defensive snaps shows how often he is on the field when his team is defending. McDonald played a larger share last season than this one, while the Jets have added other pass rushers, including David Bailey, Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. His contract also gives the team a decision about whether to keep him for a fifth season at a set cost.