The New York Jets have to make a big decision on the future of pass rusher Will McDonald this offseason.
McDonald has a $14.94 million fifth-year team option clause in his rookie contract that must be accepted or declined by the first week of May.
“Once thought to be a no-brainer, this decision will require some careful thought. McDonald probably will lead the team in sacks for the second straight year, but four of his seven came in one game. Consistency has been an issue, as most of his pass-rushing metrics are down from last season,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote.
McDonald’s Inconsistency Has Been on Full Display This Season
McDonald, 26, is undeniably talented.
In his three years in the league, there are still three games left in this season, he has collected 20.5 sacks, 46 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles.
That should be the type of player you want to build around. The overall raw numbers are tantalizing, but when you take a fine-toothed comb through it, you pick up some irregularities.
For example, this season McDonald has seven sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss. That sounds pretty good.
He has gone five straight games without a sack, including the blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.
Six of his seven sacks came in just two games this season. In 12 of 14 games, McDonald has registered one total sack.
This isn’t just a one-year outlier either.
Through the first seven weeks of the 2024 season, McDonald racked up eight sacks and was among the league leaders in that category. Across the final 10 games of the year, McDonald only registered 2.5 total sacks.
McDonald has long stretches where he goes invisible. That level of inconsistency is hard to rely upon.
Over the Cap Projections
That takes us back to the big decision the Jets have to make.
According to Over The Cap, McDonald’s fifth-year team option is projected to be $14.94 million. That is a fully guaranteed number.
The Jets must decide whether to accept or decline this upcoming offseason. If the team accepts it, they will have McDonald under team control through the 2027 season. However, if the team declines it, McDonald will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2026 season.
It’s a complicated decision.
On one hand, McDonald is a wildly talented and athletic player who can rush the passer and block field goals. On the other hand, he is an inconsistent player who has proven to be a liability against the run and can’t be on the field all the time.
The Jets received a ton of interest in McDonald ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Gang Green rejected those offers and kept their guy.
Those teams could come calling this offseason again, and the Jets have to consider it. If they trade him for an asset, the future decision on his fifth-year option will transfer to the team he is traded to. As long as that trade is completed before the first week of May.
The Jets are going to undergo a defensive overhaul this offseason. The big question is McDonald going to be a part of it?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jets No Longer a Lock to Extend 26-Year-Old Pass Rusher: Insider appeared first on Heavy Sports.