McDonald posted 28 total tackles (18 solo), including 10.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles across 17 games in 2024. The 2023 first-round pick from Iowa State made a tremendous leap in production from his rookie season to 2024, tying Jonathon Cooper, Dante Fowler and Travon Walker for the 12th-most sacks in the NFL. McDonald also ranked among the NFL's top 15 edge rushers in quarterback hits (12), pressures (61) and batted passes (three) this season. He's now entering the third season of his rookie contract and is expected to remain one of the premier edge rushers in the league, with aspirations of earning his first Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors in 2025.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Will McDonald news
Other Jets Players
Team
New York Jets
Birthdate
6/4/1999 (25)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'4", 236 lbs
Draft Info
2023: Rd 1; Pk (NYJ)
Birthplace
Pewaukee, WI, USA
Position
DE
College
Iowa State
Experience
2 seasons
Career History
New York Jets
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
McDonald posted 28 total tackles (18 solo), including 10.5 sacks, three passes defended and two forced fumbles across 17 games in 2024. The 2023 first-round pick from Iowa State made a tremendous leap in production from his rookie season to 2024, tying Jonathon Cooper, Dante Fowler and Travon Walker for the 12th-most sacks in the NFL. McDonald also ranked among the NFL's top 15 edge rushers in quarterback hits (12), pressures (61) and batted passes (three) this season. He's now entering the third season of his rookie contract and is expected to remain one of the premier edge rushers in the league, with aspirations of earning his first Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors in 2025.
McDonald registered 2.0 sacks in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Seahawks. McDonald was able to get to Geno Smith two times in the defeat, notching his third multi-sack performance of the year and first since Week 3. The 25-year-old has now produced 21 total tackles (16 solo), including 10.0 sacks, while also adding two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed over 12 games this season.
McDonald finished with three tackles (three solo), including a tackle for a loss and 1.0 sacks, and a pass breakup in Sunday's 37-15 loss to the Steelers. The defensive end also played on 65 percent of the defensive snaps. McDonald has 15 tackles (12 solo), including 8.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in seven games this season. The 2023 first-round pick recorded just 14 tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in 15 games as a rookie.
McDonald recorded two tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, during Sunday's 23-17 loss against the Vikings. McDonald's sack came on a third-and-1 deep in Jets territory to force Minnesota to settle for a field goal. He was causing problems for Sam Darnold that didn't show up on the stat sheet as well, and it looks like McDonald found his footing as a pass rusher early in his second year. He brings some IDP allure into a Week 6 matchup versus Buffalo.
McDonald had 2.0 sacks among his three tackles (one solo) and four quarterback hits in Thursday's 24-3 win over the Patriots. McDonald stayed hot after his 3.0-sack breakout in Week 2. With Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) done for the season, McDonald will be counted upon to play a key role on the edge for the Jets, even if Haason Reddick's ongoing contract dispute is resolved at some point.
McDonald recorded four solo tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Titans. McDonald lived in Tennessee's backfield, getting to quarterback Will Levis three times, matching his career total in sacks. Jermaine Johnson (Achilles) is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles in the victory and with Haason Reddick holding out, McDonald will likely move into a starting role at defensive end moving forward.
McDonald was forced to miss the team's Week 10 loss to Las Vegas while dealing with an ankle injury, but he'll make his return to the field Sunday against Buffalo. The rookie has recorded two tackles, including a half-sack, over the last two games in which he's appeared.
McDonald popped up on the team's injury report after not participating in Friday's practice. He has contributed both on special teams and as a depth edge rusher behind John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson this season. Bryce Huff is more likely to get an uptick in defensive snaps than veteran Carl Lawson, with the former recording five sacks over his last four games.