On the surface, New York Jets edge rusher Will McDonald took a step back in 2025. After recording 10.5 sacks in 2024, he slid to 8.0 sacks.
However, according to NFL Savant, he continued to impact games, with his 1.50 “Splash plays” per game ranking in the 94th percentile among pass rushers last season.
Essentially, a “Splash play” is an all-encompassing metric measuring how often a defensive player creates disruptive or game-changing moments per game.
As our own Joe Blewett has pointed out, McDonald’s statistical decline could be tied to the team’s poor secondary play, which allowed opposing quarterbacks to get the ball out of their hands quicker, limiting his pressure and sack opportunities.
The Jets’ edge rotation as a whole will look much different this season after selecting David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft and picking up Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare on the free agent market.
To boot, Jermaine Johnson was traded this offseason while Micheal Clemons departed in free agency, landing with the Indianapolis Colts.
Entering 2026, McDonald is in for a make-or-break type season. He is entering his fourth year with the team, and the organization has exercised his fifth-year option, meaning he is under team control through the 2027 season.
However, his production this year will play an integral role in determining whether he is worth extending or playing out his fifth-year option and making a decision from there.
The Iowa State product’s pass-rushing ability has been evident, logging 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The major question mark is his run defense.
Last year, his 41.4 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus finished 112th among 115 qualified edge rushers.
If his run defense remains that much of a liability, are his pass-rushing traits enough to outweigh it?
His struggles against the run hinder his ability to be an every-down player, which is a huge loss of value as an edge rusher in today’s NFL.
Ultimately, his mark in Splash plays last year shows that he was still able to impact the game in a meaningful way. Now, it will be intriguing to see what his role looks like in a revamped edge room.
For McDonald to join fellow 2023 draft pick Joe Tippmann with a contract extension, he’ll need to fill up the stat sheet this season.
