Jets' Isaiah Williams rebounds from release to become one of the top returners in the NFL

Isaiah Williams’ nightmare game in Miami in September led to his release from the Jets and thoughts that he wouldn’t be on an active NFL roster for the rest of the season. Since then, Williams has been living a dream.

The Jets brought back Williams, who is solidifying his roster spot for next season. He rebounded from that rough Week 4 performance to become one of the NFL’s top returners this season on one of the best special teams units.

“It made me better because of it,” Williams told Newsday. “In a way, I'm almost thankful that it happened. It freed me from a lot of things. It hurt that it hurt the team, but (I’m) thankful for my development and my growth. I'm thankful for that game.”

Williams’ redemption story continues on Sunday against those same Dolphins. In that Monday night game, he fumbled a kickoff and fair-caught and fielded a punt at the 3 instead of letting it bounce into the end zone for a touchback. The second-year pro was cut later that week.

He thought that was it. But Aaron Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo offered Williams another chance. Glenn had a previous relationship with Williams from his time last season with the Lions.

Williams, 24, received practice squad invites from the Bengals and Jets. He initially was hesitant about rejoining the Jets. Williams admitted thinking to himself, “Okay, if they cut me, most likely I'm not going to play.”

The spiritual Williams leaned on his faith and decided to do what he does best — RETURN.

“They didn't give up on me,” Williams said. “They were like, ‘We want you here. You’ll get better from it. You’ll grow from it.’ After I prayed about it, something just told me, stay here.”

It’s been a win-win for Williams and the Jets, who boast another explosive returner in Kene Nwangwu. Williams is the only NFL player this season to return a kick 80-plus yards and a punt for more than 70 yards.

Williams had a 74-yard punt-return touchdown in the Jets’ Week 10 win over Cleveland. Last week, his 83-yard kick return set up a field goal in their 27-24 victory over Atlanta. Williams’ 29.2 yards per kick return is second among players with at least 20 returns.

“I know he made mistakes early on, but I truly believe in this player,” Glenn said. “I'm excited not just for now what he's doing, but as a go-forward how he's going to help our team.”

Banjo said Williams “embodies” the resiliency that Glenn preaches.

“He didn't blink,” Banjo said. “He took accountability on it, didn't look for a way out, and he just put his head down and continued to grind.”

Williams, whose salary next season is not guaranteed, hasn’t stopped. He’s rewarding the Jets for the faith they showed in him. Williams has been rewarded as well.

“God chose me to be here,” he said. “Therefore, I'm more than good enough.”

Good enough to return to and for the Jets next year.

Strong up front

For the first time since 2012, the Jets have started the same five across the offensive line in every game — Olu Fashanu, John Simpson, Josh Myers, Joe Tippmann and Armand Membou. Last year, seven different offensive linemen started. In 2023, it was 13.

“I'm just proud to be a part of something like that,” Simpson said. “Guys that'll just wrap up, whatever nicks and bruises they might have, and go out there and compete because they know they’re doing it for something bigger than themselves.”

They’re doing their job, too. The Jets are seventh, averaging 133.7 rushing yards per game.

Stopping Achane

Allowing Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson to rush for 142 yards last week was “unacceptable,” according to Glenn. He said there were too missed tackles and guys “diving to the ground instead of running through the man.”

The Jets better get that fixed. They face another dynamic back in Miami’s Devon Achane, who is averaging 142.7 rushing yards in his last three games.

“Once he gets on the perimeter, he can circle the defense,” Glenn said. “He's making a ton of plays. We got to make sure that we don't allow him to circle the defense.”

Reliable Ruckert

Jeremy Ruckert has caught a team-leading 88.9% of his targets (16 of 18). He needs three more catches to set a career high. The Lindenhurst product isn’t featured in the passing game, but he has been reliable when thrown to and as a blocker.

“He's done everything that we've asked of him, and when his number's called, he's generally made the play,” offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said. “He continues to improve on a daily and weekly basis. So we're excited where he's at right now. He's done a really nice job.”

Papa Tipp

The Jets will wear their new rivalry uniforms but that won't be the only jersey change for Tippmann. The guard will have letters added to the nameplate on the back of his shirt after his wife gave birth to the couple's first son, Joseph Jr., last week.

"Now I get to have it say 'Tippmann Sr.,'" the lineman said.

The birth came too late last week for the suffix to be sewn onto his jersey for the Atlanta game.

Did you know?

The last player to intercept a pass for the Jets will be in MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Ashtyn Davis had two picks against Miami in the Jets’ final game of 2024. Davis signed with the Dolphins in the offseason.

The Jets’ 12-game interception drought is the longest to start a season in NFL history.

“It’s really puzzling,” Glenn said. “It really is.”

The streak could mercifully end against Miami. Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 14 interceptions, tied with the Raiders' Geno Smith for the most this season.

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.