What is more important for an edge rusher: sacks or all-around play? <\/p>\n
The New York Jets seemingly answered that question during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with their latest roster move. New York traded away<\/a> its best all-around edge-rusher, Jermaine Johnson, to the Tennessee Titans for a better roster fit in defensive tackle T\u2019Vondre Sweat.<\/p>\n Head coach Aaron Glenn\u2019s decision to infuse more 2-gapping principles into the front was a major factor in the move. Importantly, it also spotlighted the uncertain future of another edge rusher on the roster\u2026 <\/p>\n Former first-round pick Will McDonald. <\/p>\n While the Jets have already suggested that the 2023 draft pick wasn\u2019t going anywhere in 2026, there\u2019s reason to believe the team may be looking just beyond adding an additional year to his contract.<\/p>\n The Will McDonald decision<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters last week, Jets general manager Darren Mougey cleared the air on what the team would be expected to do with McDonald ahead of the deadline for his fifth-year option. <\/p>\n \u201c(We) feel really good about Will and that being a possibility,\u201d Mougey said. <\/p>\n Case closed. <\/p>\n McDonald will have two more years on his rookie contract, instead of just the one (a fourth year that all non-first-rounders experience). McDonald has the option for a fifth thanks to his first-round status. <\/p>\n Over the Cap estimates<\/a> that McDonald\u2019s fifth-year option will cost the Jets $13.7 million in 2027.<\/p>\n The decision regarding McDonald goes beyond just keeping a first-round pick on the roster. Through three seasons, the Iowa State product has notched 21.5 sacks, while becoming just the second Jets defender with over 10 sacks in a single season since 2013.<\/p>\n That kind of production cannot be overlooked, even though McDonald is one of the worst-run defenders<\/a> in the league. <\/p>\n Sack production still matters in the NFL. It\u2019s a big play that can shut down an entire offense in a league that emphasizes pushing the ball down the field. McDonald\u2019s impact should still be celebrated. <\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t mean upgrades shouldn\u2019t be on the way, though. <\/p>\n The Jets\u2019 EDGE room<\/p>\n With Johnson\u2019s departure, there isn\u2019t a single Jets edge rusher who can be considered a quality run defender. McDonald\u2019s Pro Football Focus <\/a>run defense grade (41.4) was the third-worst in the NFL last year.<\/p>\n