Jets plan to wait on an extension for DE Will McDonald, Rich Cimini reports

The New York Jets will not extend defensive end Will McDonald during the 2026 offseason, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini as reported by Pro Football Rumors. The decision is less a judgment on the player’s long-term fit and more a timing choice, with the team planning to evaluate him in 2026 before considering any commitment beyond the near future.

McDonald remains under Jets control for at least the next two years. Pro Football Rumors notes that the Jets picked up his fifth-year option this spring, which effectively locks in additional cost certainty and team control while New York assesses his development on the field. In practical terms, it gives the Jets time to decide whether they want to turn that control into an extension, or whether they would prefer to let the fifth-year window play out.

The reported plan is that any extension talks would not begin in advance of or during 2026. Instead, if New York chooses to pursue a longer deal, that process would come after the 2026 season concludes, when the Jets have a clearer picture of McDonald’s trajectory and how he fits into their defensive priorities.

The Jets’ approach also reflects the NFL’s broader personnel math. Extensions are not only about talent, but also about roster timing and salary management. By waiting, New York can compare McDonald’s 2026 body of work against what the team expects to build around him, rather than committing early based on partial or earlier samples.

For McDonald, the implication is straightforward: his 2026 performance becomes a key data point. With the extension door reportedly kept open, the 2026 season functions as the team’s most immediate evaluation window for what comes next contract-wise, even though the Jets will still have him in the fold during that time.

Jets fans looking at the bigger picture should also watch how New York’s defensive roles are defined during the year. If McDonald’s usage, snap share, and production align with what the Jets want from their pass rush core, an extension could become more likely afterward. If not, the reported preference to wait suggests the Jets are prepared to reassess their longer-term plans rather than force a decision early.

As of this report, there is no indication of any extension offer or contract negotiation in progress, only the team’s stated intent to postpone. Any development beyond that, including extension discussions after 2026, would likely follow the completion of the season evaluation cycle described in the reporting.