On Wednesday, the New York Jets announced the team has exercised edge defender Will McDonald’s fifth-year option.
McDonald, 26, will play on the final year of his rookie contract this season before the fifth-year option kicks in for 2027. The option will guarantee him a salary of over $13.7 million for the 2027 season.
At the NFL’s owners meetings, Jets general manager Darren Mougey announced that the team “anticipated” picking up the option. Now, Gang Green makes it official two days ahead of the league’s deadline.
In 47 games with the team since 2023 (29 starts), McDonald has posted 72 combo tackles (46 solo, 25 for loss), three pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 21.5 sacks, and 48 quarterback hits.
After breaking out in year two, surpassing 10 sacks and 60 pressures, McDonald’s production dropped off in 2025, finishing the year with eight sacks and just 42 pressures.
As Jets X-Factor’s Joe Blewett noted, though, McDonald’s dip in production wasn’t fully his fault.
Sick of the draft talk
Here’s Will McDonald winning pass rush reps but the ball is out in 3 steps or less because of consistent AWFUL coverage
Last 4-5 plays are holds that he forced… pic.twitter.com/jjaEpajdOI
— Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) March 29, 2026
His woes as a run-defender, though, persisted. Last season, the Iowa State product posted an abysmal 41.4 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 112th among 115 qualified edge rushers.
Behind McDonald, who will now be under team control through 2027, the Jets’ edge room is currently comprised of newly-signed Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Tyler Baron, Braiden McGregor, Eric Watts, Kingsley Jonathan, and No. 2 overall pick David Bailey.
At just over $13.7 million, picking up McDonald’s option was seemingly a no-brainer for the Jets.