Will McDonald IV’s breakout 2024 season with the Jets didn’t leave him satisfied or content.
It actually instilled a hunger — literally — for him to get better.
A big part of that was his food intake. McDonald dedicated his offseason to putting on weight.
The first-round pick added 15 pounds in an effort to add versatility to his speed-centric game.
“About six meals a day,” the on-the-rise defensive end said after practice Tuesday. “Eating the right foods, all of that. I was able to gain a couple of pounds from doing that. Now I’m out here ballin’. That’s what I’m going to keep doing.”
In his second year in the league, McDonald, 26, led the Jets with 10.5 sacks, mostly the result of his elite athleticism on the edge. But thanks to that newfound strength, McDonald now has a power component he previously lacked.
It’s like a pitcher with a big fastball who can’t locate his off-speed pitches. Eventually, hitters will catch up to the heater.
Now, McDonald believes he doesn’t have to just rely on running — or his forte, spinning — past offensive linemen. If they play him for his patented speed rush, he has another move in his back pocket.
“It was already added, I just never really utilized it as well as I should,” the 6-foot-4, 245-pound McDonald said. “I had to change my approach with everything. Obviously everybody knows that I like to [use my] speed, my spin, all of that. But once I get tackles on their heels, I’m able to use that power and strength.”
He added: “One thing that I was missing last year was my consistency. If you’re not changing your game, you’re not being consistent with what you’re doing.”
After proving himself in 2024, McDonald will be counted on as a linchpin to a defense that fell off a cliff. The unit was 19th in points allowed (23.8) and forced just 17 turnovers — only six teams forced fewer.
There is hope the group can bounce back, particularly if McDonald further emerges as a force.
New coach Aaron Glenn has raved about his work ethic, describing him as someone who “wants to be coached hard” and is “a damn good player, and I expect big things out of him.”
McDonald, in turn, said he feels comfortable with the new boss.
“Real down to earth, man,” McDonald said. “He treats me like his own son. Can’t say too much, but I know he’s got my back.”
There is potential for the Jets to have a stout front four.
Along with star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, fellow first-round pick and defensive end Jermaine Johnson, who was lost to a torn right Achilles tendon in Week 2, is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Steelers.
In 2023, Johnson was a Pro Bowl performer, producing 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. McDonald envisions the two terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
“Me and Jermaine are going to be ballers this season, that’s all I’ve got to tell you,” McDonald said. “Me and him are going to ball out, we’re going to do our thing. I trust him, he trusts me.
“Once we get on the field, we trust each other enough to get the job done.”
