Will McDonald IV Requests Trade From Jets

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Will McDonald IV has requested a trade from the New York Jets. 

McDonald IV has played sparingly this season and is extremely frustrated with his usage. The former first-rounder wants more opportunities and the team is aware.

McDonald IV approached the coaches weeks ago about more opportunities. Nothing has materialized, so he informed the team he wants out.

The Jets aren't actively shopping him. The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

McDonald IV was a holdover from the previous regime. He recorded 10.5 sacks in 2024, but he never clicked with the current coaching staff, which arrived in 2025.

The 27-year-old McDonald IV has three sacks, seven solo tackles, two tackles for loss and seven QB hits this season. He's taken 277 snaps.

The Jets selected McDonald IV with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Iowa State product has 24.5 sacks in the NFL.

After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Jets dropped to 2-7. They have lost four straight. 

New York is 5-21 in the Aaron Glenn era. Glenn has yet to win a game in the AFC East. 

The Jets failed to score a touchdown against the Chiefs despite 32 offensive plays in KC territory, their most in plus territory without a TD since Week 3 in the 2022 season.

Glenn and Co. have been outscored 45-10 in the past two second halves. Glenn has no idea how to do in-game adjustments. 

"It gets tough -- I know it does -- but there's belief because we've shown ... we can play at a high level," Glenn said. "A lot of times, I just go back to that and just show that [to the players], believing that we can continue to do that."

The Jets will miss the playoffs again this season. Once the season is over, owner Woody Johnson should fire Glenn. The 54-year-old doesn't have what it takes to be an NFL head coach. 

For the remainder of the season, the Jets should start Cade Klubnik at QB to see what the youngster has to offer. Geno Smith won't be on the team next season, so there's no point to keep him under center. 

Klubnik went 21/34 through the air for 190 passing yards in the preseason. He had no touchdown passes and threw one interception. 

Entering the 2025 college football season, Klubnik was projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 draft, but after he and Clemson struggled, Klubnik's draft stock took a hit.

The Jets selected Klubnik with the 110th overall pick in the 2026 draft. Even though his draft fall was significant, Klubnik still has a lot of confidence in his game. 

Klubnik finished the 2025 college football season with 2,943 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns. He threw for 10,123 passing yards and 73 touchdowns in his Clemson career.