Will McDonald gets blunt on relationship with Jets after trade request

Leading into the NFL trade deadline, all eyes, at least in the world of the New York Jets, were glued to edge Will McDonald IV. The former first-round draft pick had requested a trade away from the organization and was hoping to find a new home out of New York.

McDonald's trade request wasn't unfounded. His role has decreased incrementally by what feels like every passing week, and this past Sunday was no different. Despite reportedly asking for a bigger role on defense, the former Iowa State standout only played 36% of the defensive snaps.

Regardless, the trade deadline came and went, and McDonald is still a member of the Jets. Reports suggested that New York turned down some pretty substantial offers for their situational pass rusher, adding more fuel to the fire that the team should've just cut bait and taken a premium draft pick.

But no deal was made, and McDonald is still under contract with the Jets through the 2027 season. How will he handle the rest of the year? Are things untenable between the two sides?

Will McDonald speaks with the media for the first time since trade request

For the first time since his public trade request, McDonald spoke to reporters on Wednesday, via ESPN's Rich Cimini, and acknowledged his unhappiness with the whole situation.

"I mean, yeah, it is quite frustrating, but like I said, it is what it is. I just want to be on the field so I can be more productive and help the team win. Like I said, it's not rocket science.
Every player wants to get out there on the field, so I don't want to make it a big event at the end of the day."

In a follow-up, McDonald was asked if he had any further conversations with Aaron Glenn about his role, and if there was any leftover angst between him and the coaching staff.

"Yeah, I mean, everything is still normal. Like I said, there's no hard feelings.
We have communication. I talk to the coaches about communication. As long as I just stay trusted in that, I'm going to do what I do. But at the end of the day, I just want to be on the field and play football. That's really it."

It sounds like all McDonald is looking for is consistent playing time, and that's something the Jets should be willing to give him. Outside of David Bailey, they don't exactly have anybody else with the same pass-rushing chops.

Despite coming into the league in 2023, McDonald is already 27 years old. He'll likely only receive one long-term extension in his career, and if he wants that to be as lucrative as possible, he needs to produce and drive his price up.

The only way to do that: playing time. Glenn said on Wednesday that McDonald has earned it; we'll see if that really does raise his snap count.

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