Jets Q&A: Team plays down shouting match between Quinnen Williams, defensive line coach

What led to the shouting match between Quinnen Williams and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton?

According to Williams and Robert Saleh, it was over the Jets’ decision to blitz Joe Burrow instead of just rush with the front four, which is what they usually do. While being blitzed, Burrow got rid of it quickly and threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd.

The CBS broadcast caught the exchange, with Williams standing up and shouting at Whitecotton and Whitecotton going right back at Williams. Jets players stepped between the two of them.

“It was no real shouting match like everybody is making it seem,” Williams said. “I love my coach. My coach loves me, man. We’re all competitors out there. I trust my D-line, trust the D-line so much that put it on our back to win this game. That came out of me to just challenge my D-line coach, like ‘Yo, put it on our back, Coach.’ ”

Saleh said, “Quinnen’s a competitor. He was challenging for a four-man rush. He just wanted to rush four so he’d get an opportunity to win his one-on-one. I love the fire. I love all of it. We don’t need them to go jawing at each other, but he’s being competitive. So it was fine.”

Williams said he and Whitecotton talked and they’re fine. “That’s love right there,” Williams said. “That’s like my brother. It wasn’t really an argument like it seemed. It was just a loud conversation, fans out there, different stuff like that. I love my coach. He’s one of the best defensive line coaches I’ve ever had.”

How upset was D.J. Reed after this loss?
 Very upset. The cornerback didn’t raise his voice, but he called the play of the defense “unacceptable” and said, “The mental errors are unacceptable.” He wants to call a meeting with coaches and players and fix their issues. “We got to get it right,” Reed said. “That has to happen. Has to happen.”

What did John Franklin-Myers think of the unnecessary- roughness call on him?

He didn’t agree with the third-down penalty that extended the drive that ended with the Boyd score. Franklin-Myers thought he got to Burrow in time and wasn’t overly aggressive. He also said Burrow was surprised at the call. “I didn’t even really push him to the ground,” Franklin-Myers said. “He was already falling to the ground. We both fell together. He didn’t even agree with the call. [Burrow] was like, ‘What?’ It’s one of those calls, it’s [messed] up. It is what it is, it’s football.’’

What did Saleh think of the unsportsmanlike-conduct call on Corey Davis?

He said Davis has to be smarter than to put his hands on another player’s facemask. Davis and former Giant Eli Apple got in each other’s faces in the end zone and Davis was flagged for a 15-yard penalty, essentially killing a drive. “Got to keep your hands down. Nothing would have happened,” Saleh said. “He’s got to be smarter.”

How serious are the injuries the Jets suffered?

Linebacker Quincy Williams’ ankle injury looked serious. He was carted off the field and left the building on a golf cart in a walking boot. Saleh said they will know more Monday.

Left tackle George Fant, who had knee surgery after last season, has been limited at practice because of the knee and he was forced to leave Sunday’s game. He struggled to block Trey Hendrickson, as did Fant’s backup, Conor McDermott. Garrett Wilson hurt his ribs on a hard hit after he made a catch. It looked as if it could be bad, but he finished the game.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.