Will McDonald had a team-high eight sacks in 2025. Julian Leshay Guadalupe / Imagn Images
April 29, 2026Updated 1:44 pm EDT
The New York Jets exercised edge rusher Will McDonald’s fifth-year option for 2027, the team announced on Wednesday.
General manager Darren Mougey said earlier in the offseason that they would pick up the option. McDonald, who turns 27 in June, will be under contract for a projected $13.75 million in 2027, according to Over the Cap.
When McDonald was the Jets’ surprising selection with the 15th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the choice didn’t get a positive reception from a portion of the fans, especially considering the team’s needs at other positions at the time.
A few years later, McDonald has carved out a role as a legitimate NFL pass rusher. He has 18 1/2 sacks combined over the last two seasons, including a career-high 10 1/2 in 2024. Only 11 players have more sacks than McDonald over the past two seasons.
He had eight sacks in 2025, though it was considered a down season for McDonald, especially since four of those sacks came in one game and two came in another.
Even worse: McDonald hasn’t made much progress as a run stopper, which was the biggest knock against him entering the NFL. Pro Football Focus ranked McDonald last among 53 edge rushers with at least 200 run-defense snaps in 2025.
McDonald and No. 2 overall pick David Bailey are expected to start as outside linebackers in the Jets’ new 3-4 base defense, with head coach Aaron Glenn calling plays. Free-agent additions Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare are expected to rotate in as backups.
Apr 29, 2026
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