This New York Jets star is in a tough spot.
The New York Jets have boasted one of the best defenses in the NFL over the past several seasons, and part of that has been due to the play of linebacker Quincy Williams.
Williams was a First-Team All-Pro in 2023 after racking up 139 tackles, a couple of sacks, an interception and 10 passes defended. Last year, he finished with 116 tackles, a pair of sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
This season, however, it has been an entirely different story for Williams, who has played in just four games due to injuries and has now been benched.
The Jets traded cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (Quincy's brother) at the NFL trade deadline, and with Quincy slated to hit free agency this offseason, it's looking more and more like the 29-year-old is a goner.
“I came in on Monday and was (with the backups), so I didn’t really understand what was going on,” Williams said, via Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams. Credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.Rosenblatt then questioned why Williams was not moved at the trade deadline considering New York is clearly rolling with an all-out rebuild.
Williams was originally selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Jaguars, primarily in a backup role before landing with the Jets in 2021.
The Murray State product became a starter right off the bat for Gang Green, managing 110 stops, two sacks, three forced fumbles and five passes defended during his debut campaign.
Williams proceeded to post four straight seasons of over 100 tackles with the Jets before this year, where he has logged just 22 tackles in four contests.
His decline has certainly been sharp and unexpected, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that head coach Aaron Glenn does not view him as a part of the future.
Williams should certainly have his fair share of suitors during the offseason, especially considering he is just two years removed from an All-Pro campaign.
But will Williams be able to secure a long-term deal at this point? That seems doubtful.
The Jets are 1-7 and will face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.