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Rich Cimini
Florham Park, NJ – The New York Jets‘The defensive shakeup continues.
In addition to trading cornerstone players Sauce Gardner And quinnan williamsThe Jets have demoted the former All-Pro linebacker quincy williams,
“My coaches told me I wasn’t performing well, I haven’t been performing well since training camp,” Williams told ESPN after practice on Wednesday.
Williams, who said he was informed by coaches on Monday, described himself as “a non-starting jet.” They are expected to be active against it on Sunday cleveland brownsBut he is not sure about his role.
“I haven’t a clue,” he said.
It’s been a tumultuous week for the Jets (1-7), who return to work on Wednesday blockbuster deal At the trading deadline – to Gardner indianapolis coltsto williams dallas cowboys,
In a 24 hour period, quincy williams lost my starting job and lost my job younger brother in the other teamQuincy was also rumored to be on the trading block. There were rumors about him being part of a package deal with his brother, but the Cowboys filled their linebacker need by making a trade logan wilsonof the east cincinnati bengals,
Cheater Kiko Mauigoa He is the top candidate to replace Williams in the lineup.
Williams, 29, is in the final year of his contract. He has started 65 games for the Jets in 2021. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, and turned that success into a three-year, $18 million contract.
In four games this season, he has 22 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Williams, who missed four games due to a shoulder injury, was active in the last game, making two pass breakups and a tackle for loss in the Week 8 win over the Bengals.
“I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s one of those things where I’m not crazy about it because they told me what I need to be better at,” Williams said. He said the coaches want him to improve his use of his hands and play with a more downhill mentality.
Coach Aaron Glenn is attempting to make immediate defensive changes. The Gardner and Williams trade shook the locker room, with players saying they were shocked by the news Tuesday. alan lazard He said he received a message from a friend that simply read “OMG” and the recipient said he immediately checked social media and read about the trades.
,[Quinnen Williams] He was such a huge pillar to the foundation of this locker room, and he embodied what it means to be a Jet,” Lazard said.
The trades put Glenn in a delicate position. The organization is building for the future – two trades yielded three future first-round selections – but Glenn’s job now is to win games. He insisted that motivation won’t be a problem for the locker room.
His message to longtime fans shows he’s already thinking beyond this season. Before Week 1, he said he wanted the Jets to be a team that would make the fan base proud. That, he said, is what will define a successful season.
On Wednesday, he amended it with an eyebrow-raising comment.
Glenn said, “I want this to be a team that the fans are proud of, but again, I never said they would be proud of them right now.”
As expected, players voiced the company’s opinion regarding trades. He said it was sad to see two talented teammates traded, but he reiterated what Glenn told him in the morning team meeting: The only thing constant in the NFL is change, and that change brings opportunity.
“It’s just the nature of the business,” the running back said. Breece Hall Said. ,[We] I lost two very good players, two guys I’m really good friends with. It sucks, but that’s the way it is.”
According to reports, the Jets considered offers for Hall, but decided to retain him. Hall stated that he never requested a trade, but there were reports that he would have welcomed it. He didn’t deny it outright and said his only focus is on the Browns on Sunday. He is in the final year of his rookie contract and can leave as a free agent.
“I think I’ve said it a million times over and over again that Brees was not a guy I wanted to get rid of,” Glenn said. “I mean, he’s a really good player.”
It’s surprising the Jets didn’t trade Quincy Williams considering their plans to bench him. Williams said he had “mixed feelings” about the trading deadline. He understood the logic behind his brother’s business.
“When we had the conversation, we talked about it being a fresh start,” Quincy said. “I’m happy for Sauce and Quinnen because they get fresh starts and things like that, and then they also get perspective and a change in things.”
In other developments, wide receiver Garrett WilsonOut of the last two games due to a knee injury, practiced on a limited basis and looks to return on Sunday.
The Jets still have not named a starting quarterback. Said Justin Fields: “We’ll see.”
