After trading two defensive leaders yesterday, the Jets continue to shake up their personnel on that side of the ball. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the team is benching linebacker Quincy Williams.
[RELATED: Jets Trade Quinnen Williams To Cowboys]
“My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Williams told Cimini. While the former All-Pro admitted that he is “not thrilled” with the decision, he clarified that he’s “not mad” and hopes to win his job back.
The Jets added Williams off waivers ahead of the 2021 campaign, pairing him with his brother, Quinnen Williams. The acquisition had an immediate impact in New York, collecting 110 tackles during his first season with the Jets. That started a streak of four-straight 100-plus-tackle campaigns, including a 2023 season where he earned an All-Pro nod after finishing with a career-high 139 stops.
Williams’ production has been down in 2025. He missed four games with a shoulder injury, and he’s otherwise been limited to 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks in four starts. Pro Football Focus seems to back the coaching staff’s assessment, as the site currently ranks Williams 57th among 82 qualifying linebackers.
While Quincy watched as Quinnen was shipped off during yesterday’s trade deadline, the linebacker was almost included in the same deal. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Cowboys discussed a deal with the Jets that would have seen Dallas acquire both Williams brothers. That specific deal obviously didn’t come to fruition, and the Cowboys ended up pivoting to former Bengals defender Logan Wilson to fill the linebacker void.
The 29-year-old is set to hit free agency after this season, and it seems pretty clear that the current regime is souring on the former defensive star. Considering Williams’ demotion, it’s a bit surprising that the Jets didn’t jump at the opportunity to move off of the linebacker.
IF WE ARENT GOING TO KEEP THESE PLAYERS THEN WHY ARE WE NOT TRADING THEM FFS
They had suitors for Breece and Quincy, two guys that are going to high tail it out of NY the moment free agency period starts and they KEEP THEM in a 1-7 season. We’re not getting 3rd round comp picks for these guys, especially not after you bench them immediately after the deadline
Such an incompetent FO im so sick of these guys and its been less than a year. Hopefully Woody can nut up and fire these goobers before they waste all this draft capital and the 10 year butterfly effect torture itll cost us. They literally thought starting Justin Fields was a better idea than keeping Rodgers, that should be a fireable offense in itself.
Seems like the real issue is their crap owner who just continues to say stupid things and act as if he knows anything about football.
I think the trades they did make are sensible if you’re going to overhaul the roster. I think not trading Johnson makes sense. I even think not trading Hall makes sense if the price wasn’t right. Not trading Quincy after trading Quinnen—especially if they’re going to bench him—makes absolutely no sense.
Agreed on Quincy but Breece leaving in the offseason would mean a comp pick, even if you think it won’t. So there’s some sense in keeping him, especially if the rumored final offer by KC was a 4th rounder (which may end up being a late 4th).
If they spend enough in free agency they won’t get the comp pick. But a franchise and trade isn’t unthinkable.
Breece I get cause you can franchise tag for cheap.
Others not so much