The Jets have announced that they’ll be exercising the fifth-year option for former first-round pick Will McDonald. The announcement was made via the team’s official social media platforms.
Selected with the fifteenth overall pick in the 2023 draft, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster for McDonald in terms of production for Gang Green. The ultra-athletic edge rusher managed just 3 sacks in his first season before exploding in his sophomore campaign by racking up 10.5 sacks.
Expectations were high as he entered year three but McDoanld manage just eight sacks. A respectable number, but misleading. Of the eight sacks, half came in one contest as he racked up four against the Browns.
The fifth-year option is expected to cost the Jets just under $14 million against the cap in 2027. A relative bargain if Will McDonald can manage to replicate his production from two seasons ago.
And while the doubters may say McDonald’s double-digit sack season was a fluke, looking back at last year’s film shows a player who was still plenty explosive off the edge, but opposing QB’s were able to dice up a weak secondary and rarely held the ball long enough to allow a play to be made.
Now set to be paired with first-round pick David Bailey and what the Jets hope will be an improved secondary in 2025, McDonald should have a chance to see a significant bump in his sack total next season.
