Jets Edge Will McDonald IV addresses trade-request reports: “I want to play here”

New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV moved quickly to address published reports that he requested a trade ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. In the Jets’ locker room on Wednesday, McDonald said he wanted to “clear everything up” and emphasized, “I just want to play here. I want to help the team win.”

McDonald explained his request, according to the Jets, as a desire for more playing time. He said, “Because I wasn’t playing,” adding that he believes every player wants to get on the field and “doesn’t want to make it a big deal as much as the media is making it.”

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn publicly backed McDonald’s place in the roster. Glenn told reporters the day after the deadline that “we’re not trading Will,” and said McDonald is “a huge part of what we’re doing,” noting it is his job to keep putting the player “in positions” to help the team succeed.

Glenn tied McDonald’s role to the pass rush, calling his ability elite. He said McDonald’s pass rush is “second to none” and described recent discussions with the edge as extending beyond football, including conversations about how they can improve individually.

The Jets selected McDonald with the 15th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. The team’s release also outlined his production from earlier seasons and his current role, noting that through nine games this year he has recorded 3 sacks, 16 tackles, 7 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble, while playing 46% of the defensive snaps.

McDonald’s current season comes after prior years in which the team said he appeared on 66% of defensive snaps, including a 10.5-sack 2024 campaign, and a 2025 season that ended with a knee injury after a Week 16 game against New Orleans. The Jets said he spent the end of that season on injured reserve.