Jets pass rusher Will McDonald IV requests trade after reduced role
The gist
New York Jets pass rusher Will McDonald IV has told the team he wants to be traded.
The former first-round pick is in a contract year with his playing time shrinking.
How it unfolded
- Nov 9, 2025McDonald tied a franchise record with 4 sacks in a game against the Browns, raising his team-leading total to 7, 3.5 short of his career high of 10.5 from the previous season.
- Oct 7, 2026In his contract year, McDonald had totaled just four combined pressures in Weeks 2-4 and had not registered his second sack; he played 66 snaps in the Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears.
- Nov 9, 2026McDonald informed the Jets that he wants to be traded, with reporters saying he has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated.
Key terms
- pass rusher
- A defensive football player who charges across the line of scrimmage to tackle, hurry, or sack the quarterback.
- contract year
- In North American sports, the season before an athlete becomes a free agent, often marked by especially strong performance.
Source: Wikipedia