For a first-round pick, New York Jets edge rusher Will McDonald’s production is something most teams would celebrate. In three seasons with the team, the former Iowa State product has recorded 21.5 sacks.

Each season with an average of seven sacks is a sign of a consistent performer at a key position of value.

For McDonald, though, his sack production comes with plenty of asterisks. A lack of consistency from a weekly perspective and an inability to defend the run have left the 26-year-old’s future with the team in question.

The idea is magnified after the latest injury report ended his season.

The Jets injury report

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced that McDonald was placed on season-ending injured reserve following a knee injury that hurt his effectiveness towards the end of the year.

Through 15 games, McDonald finished with eight sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and 30 tackles. His Pro Football Focus grade left much more to be desired, though. McDonald’s 59.1 grade was below average according to other edge rushers, despite fitting in the upper echelon of pressures.

McDonald’s play this season was also a mixed bag. His four-sack performance against the Cleveland Browns showed the upside he had when the Jets made him a first-round pick.

Since that four-sack game, though, McDonald recorded just one sack in his final five games. His inability to stand out against the run, though, had been a significant detriment to his long-term future with the team.

It’s just one of the reasons why his impending contract-extension eligibility became a sticking point.

Will McDonald’s future outlook

For a 3-12 team among the worst run-defending teams in the league, McDonald’s big weakness stands out like a sore thumb. New York needs every-down edge rushers who can make plays at any point, compared to just on third down.

McDonald isn’t that.

So what will the Jets do with him? New York has to determine if it wants to exercise the fifth-year option it has on the edge rusher. That would potentially balloon McDonald’s five-year salary to $14.9 million.

Is he worthy of that kind of contract, though?

At this point, any hope of a long-term deal for the veteran seems like a lost cause. New York has other players to extend who have been more dependable over the last few seasons.

There’s reason to believe that McDonald has a future with the Jets. NFL teams are always in need of edge rushers who get after the passer. Players like Leonard Floyd and Jadeveon Clowney are prime examples of that.

But if he wants a contract worthy of a top player at his position, McDonald will need to be a better all-around player than his on-field production up to this point. With his season ending shorter than he wanted, the 2026 campaign will be an important one for New York’s inconsistent edge rusher.