Jets’ Will McDonald didn’t agree with roughing the passer flag in preseason opener

Jets defensive end Will McDonald got to the quarterback Saturday, but it resulted in a penalty.

McDonald used a beautiful spin move to get past Commanders tackle Mason Brooks, and he hit quarterback Jeff Driskel just as he released the ball.

The officials threw a flag for a questionable roughing the passer penalty that was wiped out by an offsetting penalty on the Commanders in the Jets’ 20-17 preseason victory .

After the game, McDonald said he did not think he should have been flagged.

“Me, personally, I don’t think it was a roughing the passer,” McDonald said. “I don’t really care about nobody else’s opinion [except the official’s]. That’s the ref. They’ve got to do their job, and I just have to keep playing ball. I was already onto the next play.”

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Jets coach Robert Saleh said the officials told him McDonald landed on Driskel with all of his body weight, which is illegal.

This is a big preseason for McDonald, who was the team’s first-round pick in 2023.

He is fighting for playing time and has an opportunity to showcase what he can do in training camp with Haason Reddick holding out.

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Saleh was excited by the performance of second-year cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse.

The man they call “JBC” was beaten for a 42-yard reception by Dyami Brown on the first series of the game.

Bernard-Converse rebounded, though, and had some good moments in coverage.

“That might be the coolest one from a defensive perspective because he did get hit on that go ball,” Saleh said. “It’s very easy to tank and to get in your own head and play scared. He still played chest to chest. He still played tight coverage. He was still playing his press technique and made a lot of plays on the ball. Really, really proud of JBC and the way he bounced back.”

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Rookie OT Olu Fashanu played the entire first half, more than any of the other offensive linemen who started the game.

Saleh said he wanted to give the rookie extended reps.

The Jets hope Fashanu will not have to play this season.

That would mean starting tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses stayed healthy.

So the Jets want to get Fashanu plenty of work this preseason.

“It would be a great year if this was the extent of his playtime,” Saleh said.

Rookie LB Jimmy Ciarlo left the game with a knee injury.

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