The Joe Douglas era will forever be known as a colossal failure for the New York Jets, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some clear wins from the former general manager.
One of the best moves Douglas made throughout his six-year run with the team was to claim linebacker Quincy Williams off waivers in 2021. At the time, Williams was a former third-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars and was struggled to get consistent playing time.
With the Jets, though, Williams flourished. After a strong first year with over 100 tackles recorded, New York gave the Murray State product a three-year deal worth $18 million.
To say Williams has outplayed that contract would be an understatement.
Now, a new regime is being left with the difficult decision of extending the now-29-year-old to a new deal that will expect to pay him as one of the best linebackers in the sport or let him walk next season.
It’s a decision that the team hasn’t made just yet.
Jets Remain Undecided on Williams’ Future
In his latest release of information Sunday morning, Rich Cimini of ESPN stated that the Jets haven’t disclosed whether they would like to extend Williams this offseason or not.
“The previous administration was open to extending him before the start of the 2025 season; it’s unclear if the new regime feels the same way,” Cimini reported.
A big part of that discussion for New York centers around one player they have already extended.
By giving Jamien Sherwood a three-year contract worth $45 million with $15 million annually going to the young linebacker, the Jets are already paying one player at the position one of the highest rates in the league.
No matter what the conversation is on Williams, it is clear he is owed far more than $15 million after an All-Pro season in 2023.
Would New York really pay two linebackers north of $15 million? It’s incredibly difficult to see considering the devaluation of the position over the last few years.
No team in the NFL is paying two linebackers even close to $10 million each. The closest team to that mark is actually the New Orleans Saints with Demario Davis ($8.6 million) and Pete Werner ($7.5 million).
New Orleans is in cap purgatory. They are not a team the Jets should be trying to emulate.
There is also the fact that the Jets have other players to extend, including Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, and even Will McDonald after the 2025 season concludes. Quincy’s brother Quinnen could do for an extension as well to lower his immediate cap hit.
It may be difficult for some Jets fans to swallow, but all signs point to Williams potentially moving on next season—even if the organization hasn’t discussed it yet.
