The 2019 NFL Draft saw brothers Quinnen Williams and Quincy Williams get drafted out of Alabama. Quinnen, the third overall pick selected by the New York Jets, was heralded as a raw but potentially elite prospect, whereas Quincy went in round three to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Within two years, Quincy would unite with Quinnen in the Big Apple, as the brothers quickly became fan favorites. Then, both emerged as long-term starters in the defense in 2022, leaving General Manager Joe Douglas and the front office with the mission of extending both Williams brothers this off-season.
New York Jets Need to Extend the Williams Brothers this Off-Season
2022 Performance
Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams
During the 2022 season, everything finally came together for the former third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Quinnen Williams essentially had career-high marks across the board, from 690 defensive snaps played to 16 games played (and started). Despite a 65% defensive snap mark, Williams’ numbers compared to the likes of elite interior defensive linemen such as Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, Dexter Lawrence, etc. On the year, Williams posted 12.0 sacks, 55 total tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 31 quarterback pressures. The Alabama product was also phenomenal against the run, only missing two tackles all season. Williams not only emerged as the Jets best player and disruptor in the trenches but arguably the league’s top defensive lineman. In other words, Q’s first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selection are more than justified, and he will need to be paid as such.
Linebacker Quincy Williams
Like his younger brother, Quincy Williams saw many career-high numbers across the board. In 15 games played (all starts), the 26-year-old linebacker had 3.0 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and played 79% of defensive snaps. He also had 106 total tackles and a pass deflection. While he is by no means a strong player in pass coverage, there are far worse starting linebackers who are liabilities. Claimed off of waivers in September of 2021, Quincy Williams has formed quite the dynamic duo with C.J. Mosley in the middle of the field.
Current Contract Situation
Entering the 2023 off-season, both players are in different, yet somehow similar positions. Both are searching for a new contract with a significant pay raise. However, only one is already under contract for this upcoming year. Quinnen Williams, being a first-round pick in 2019, had his fifth-year option exercised and will play through it this season. Whereas for Quincy Williams, his rookie deal has expired, having played two seasons with the Jaguars before being waived and joining the Jets. There is no question that both should get a new deal, rather, the question of how New York’s front office elects to approach it.
Projecting Potential Extensions
Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams
Quinnen Williams is going to command a deal that compares to the other elite defensive lineman. Now, it is unlikely that he will demand an Aaron Donald-type deal, paying him over $30 million in average annual value. However, there is no reason why he won’t enter the top five paid defensive tackles, whose contracts average over $17 million per year. A deal ranging over four years would allow Quinnen to be a free agent entering his age 30 season. Making the homegrown developed talent a Jet during his prime years of 26 years old to 29. Simply put – keeping the player the entire defensive line is built around is a must for Joe Douglas.
Linebacker Quincy Williams
Quincy Williams is not going to see Mosley-level money this off-season. Unlike Mosley or his brother, he has never made an All-Pro, let alone a Pro Bowl team. As a matter of fact, until 2022, Williams had yet to be a start-of-season starter. That being said, for a to-be 27-year-old linebacker, a three-year deal is realistic. Mosley is not getting any younger and the Jets need a lock at linebacker moving forward. To retain Williams, a deal with an average annual value ranging from $4.5 million to $6 million is on the table. Therefore leaving it up to the Jets front office to decide how much to pay Williams considering how much is already going to the off-ball linebacker position.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
