Jets' All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams won't offer 'family discount' to stay with club
The Jets' Quincy Williams reacts after a sack during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 7. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Quincy Williams has thought about Sunday being his final game as a Jet, but he hasn’t slammed the door on returning.
Williams is in the final year of a three-year, $18 million contract. The former All-Pro linebacker’s priority in free agency will be to play for a winning team. Williams said he likes Aaron Glenn’s vision for the Jets. Williams didn’t rule out re-signing if the Jets upgrade the roster and are interested in keeping him.
“It's not one of those things where I'm going to bet on the Jets,” Williams told Newsday, “but if they make the right moves and stuff like that… like I understand AG's message, so I do like that part. It's just making sure upstairs and downstairs are aligned.”
It’s probably a long shot. Williams said there have been no conversations about an extension. His name came up in trade rumors before the Nov. 4 deadline, and he temporarily lost his starting job.
Williams noted that some money freed up when the Jets traded his brother Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys and Sauce Gardner to the Colts. But Williams said he wouldn’t give the Jets a discount.
“I haven't heard anything, haven't really talked to them or nothing,” Williams said. “If they make the right moves and stuff like that, I would love being part of the Jets. I’m not like I was last year, betting on it because my brother ain't here. So it ain't like no brother discount. It ain't no family discount, none of that.”
The Jets could try and replace Williams with Alex Anzalone, a Lions linebacker who also will be a free agent. Glenn and Anzalone are close. They were in New Orleans together when Glenn was a defensive backs coach. When Glenn became Detroit’s defensive coordinator Anzalone signed with the Lions.
In five seasons with the Jets, Williams has 551 tackles, 27 passes defended and 12.5 sacks. He has 80 tackles and a career-high 3.5 sacks in 12 games this season. Williams missed four games due to a shoulder injury.
As the final game in Buffalo approaches, Williams said he’s enjoying his time with his teammates and getting ready for what he could his final game a Jets uniform.
“I thought about it a couple of times,” Williams said. “But for the most part, I’m just hanging out with the guys. I ain't really thought about it as much, though, just because I'm still in it. … And then also talking to AG too, just like having that mindset also, like what’s the plan for next year, hearing about that too just in case upstairs does something that I would like.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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