When the New York Jets drafted Will McDonald with their first-round pick in 2023, the fanbase as a collective was furious. Gang Green had significant needs at receiver and along the offensive line.

Drafting a project of an edge rusher—a position of perceived strength for the club—seemed like a waste of a pick. After a rookie season in which he was a healthy scratch several times, fans grew more frustrated.

Since that rookie season, though, McDonald has become essential to the Jets’ defense. Not only did he record a 10-sack season last year, but his athletiticism has allowed him to grow into one of the younger stars on the current roster.

After almost single-handedly winning the Jets’ game on Sunday, the team eventually lost 29-27 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McDonald’s heroics are a good reminder to those same fans.

Sometimes—as frustrating as it may be—patience is a virtue.

Will McDonald’s clutch/unbelievable play

Down by six with under two minutes to play, the Buccaneers were lining up to kick a field goal to make it a two-score game. By all metrics, a made field goal would have been the end of the game.

Then McDonald made a massive play.

The Iowa State product lept through the field goal line, blocked the kick, picked it up, and scored a touchdown to give the Jets the lead late.

After the game, McDonald called it one of the best plays of his career.

“At the end of the day, I still helped out and I was still able to get my team in a good position to win,” McDonald said. “For me, I feel like I could’ve done a little more in the game to get our team in a better position, but at the end of the day, we have that belief still, so down the stretch, we’re gonna get the wins.”

McDonald’s heroic blocked field goal wasn’t enough to give the Jets the win. Tampa responded with a last-minute drive to pull out the victory.

Just because McDonald’s play was wasted in that particular game doesn’t mean it will be ignored moving forward. Many team leaders have already spoken out, detailing how important McDonald’s play was for the club’s future.

“That is a pure will play,” Garrett Wilson said after the loss. “When I say will, I mean like, actual will power, like I am going to make this play. You make a decision before the play, and you go out and execute. It is not easy, that play he made, that gave us chance. That was an extraordinary play.

“At some point, when people make plays like that, we are going to finish this and celebrate the right way because that was a hell of a play.”

McDonald’s play is a crucial reminder for fans.

Two years ago, he was considered a bust of a first-round pick. Fans wanted him out because the value of another edge rusher at the time was less than a receiver or lineman.

Fans aren’t particularly pleased with the current coaching staff or the team’s look.

But if McDonald can grow into a quality player on the Jets’ defense and special teams units, then the coaching staff could develop into the kind of staff fans want to be proud of.

McDonald’s performance on Sunday is a good reminder it never makes sense to give up on things too early in the NFL.

Sometimes, a perceived bust or frustration turns into a star with a little bit of time.