The Jets declined edge rusher Will McDonald IV’s trade request and now they are saying he’s in line for a bigger role.
McDonald requested a trade Monday due to frustration over his dwindling playing time. The Jets turned down any trade offers for McDonald and coach Aaron Glenn said Wednesday he will begin playing more.
“Obviously, there are some things that he needs to improve on. I think he’s done an outstanding job of doing that,” Glenn said. “I think we all can look forward to seeing his play time improve because he’s earned the right to be able to do that.”
Glenn said the team values McDonald.
“Will’s a huge part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “It’s my job to make sure that I continue to put him in positions to help this team be successful.”
McDonald, who was drafted in the first round in 2023 by the previous Jets regime, has not seemed like a “huge part” of the plan this season. After leading the team with eight sacks last season, McDonald is now a part-time player. He has played 46 percent of the defensive snaps this year and that number is only that high because of injuries. He played just 24 snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. McDonald has three sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries this year.
“I want to clear everything up,” McDonald said. “There’s no hard feelings with the coaching staff or anybody here. I just want to play and help the team win.”
McDonald said he asked for the trade because “I wasn’t playing.” This situation has been simmering since the summer when it became clear the Jets had pushed McDonald down the depth chart. The team drafted David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick and signed Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai at McDonald’s position. That has kept McDonald on the bench more than he is used to.
“It’s not rocket science,” McDonald said. “Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to help the team win. I don’t want to make it a big deal as much as the media is making it. Ultimately, the goal is to win and to help the team.”
McDonald said he will trust the coaches when they say he will play more. Glenn said he and McDonald have a strong relationship and he said the two of them spoke for more than an hour on Saturday before the Chiefs game.
“It’s my job to make sure I put him in position to play more because he is improving,” Glenn said. “I’ve always said that you earn the right to play and he’s done that.”
The knock on McDonald’s game has always been his run defense. Glenn did not get into specifics on what McDonald needs to do better, but he made it clear how he feels about him as a pass rusher.
“His pass rush, I think we all know, is second to none,” Glenn said.
McDonald said this year has been tough.
“It is quite frustrating but, like I said, it is what it is,” McDonald said. “I just want to be on the field so I can be more productive and help the team win.”
WR Garrett Wilson (concussion) and WR Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) were listed as limited in practice on Wednesday. They are both expected to play Sunday against the Bills.
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