The Jets may have finally found the perfect role for Will McDonald

The New York Jets made an easy decision this offseason when they exercised Will McDonald's fifth-year option. While there was at least some discussion that the team could opt to decline it, McDonald's value as a pass rusher and the current state of the edge market made the decision fairly straightforward.

After all, in today's NFL, $14.5 million is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for a productive edge rusher, even one who is notably flawed. McDonald has already proven he can get after the quarterback. The challenge now is putting him in the best position to do it consistently.

Day 37 of your 2026 Jets Camp Countdown belongs to SackDonalds, the McFlurry of Pressures, the Quarter Pounder (because he pounds quarterbacks...or something...I don't know, man), and one of the most polarizing players on the Jets' roster...it's Will McDonald.

1. Where Will McDonald stands entering Jets training camp
2. Will McDonald's biggest weakness still hasn't gone away
3. What would make 2026 a success for Will McDonald
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Will McDonald stands entering Jets training camp

McDonald enters his fourth NFL season as arguably still the best pure pass rusher on the Jets' roster, even after the addition of No. 2 overall pick David Bailey.

After breaking out with 10.5 sacks and 61 pressures in 2024, McDonald's production dipped a little last season. The Iowa State product finished 2025 with eight sacks, although half of those came in a single game against the Browns, while his pressure total dropped to 42 after ranking 13th among all edge rushers the year before.

Of course, some of that decline wasn't entirely his fault. The game script rarely favored McDonald, as the Jets spent much of last season playing from behind, limiting obvious pass-rushing situations. Opposing offenses also had very little reason to fear the rest of the team's defensive line.

With David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, and a deeper interior group joining the mix this year, McDonald should find himself in far more favorable situations. At least, that's the hope.

Ironically, playing fewer snaps could allow him become a more impactful player.

RELATED: David Bailey faces enormous expectations to justify Jets' draft gamble

Will McDonald's biggest weakness still hasn't gone away

The concerns about McDonald dating back to college have never been about his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. It's everything else that's been the issue.

McDonald isn't just one of the worst run-defending edges in the NFL. He's been the worst run-defending edge among NFL qualifiers in each of his two seasons as a starter.

McDonald finished with the lowest Pro Football Focus run-defense grade among qualified edge rushers in 2024, posting a 39.5 run-defense grade in 2024 before following it with a 41.6 grade in 2025, once again ranking last among qualifying players at his position. His missed tackle rate remained among the highest in the league as well.

Those struggles don't erase his enormous value as a pass rusher, but they do change how (and how much) the Jets should use him.

McDonald has played 66 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps in each of the last two seasons as a full-time starting defensive end. But with Bailey, Ossai, and Enagbare now in the fold, the Jets finally have enough depth to be more selective.

Gone are the days of relying on the likes of Braiden McGregor, Eric Watts, and Micheal Clemons to play significant defensive snaps. That should allow the Jets to both elevate McDonald's value as a pass rusher and mitigate his struggles in run defense.

Rather than asking McDonald to handle every situation, the Jets can now deploy him where he does the most damage. Let him pin his ears back and attack opposing quarterbacks.

What would make 2026 a success for Will McDonald

A reduced workload shouldn't be viewed as a disappointment. In fact, it might be exactly what McDonald needs.

The Jets don't need him to play 65 or 70 percent of the defensive snaps if they can maximize his impact in obvious passing situations. Let Bailey (his own struggles against the run and all), Ossai, and Enagbare shoulder more of the early-down work while McDonald focuses on doing what he does best.

If McDonald returns to double-digit sacks while becoming one of the league's premier designated pass rushers, the Jets will gladly trade a lower snap count for greater efficiency.

He's already shown he can pressure quarterbacks at a high level. Now the Jets have an opportunity to put him in a role that accentuates that strength instead of exposing his biggest weakness.

And in doing so, they might just fully unlock one of their most disruptive defensive players.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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