Jets' Quinnen Williams to skip voluntary workouts unless he gets new deal
Quinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets looks on from the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Quinnen Williams wants the Jets to pay him or he won’t be at voluntary workouts in the spring.
The Jets’ Pro Bowl defensive tackle has one year left on his deal and is eligible for a contract extension. He likely will be one of the highest-paid players at his position — if not the highest — and demand a deal north of $20 million annually after his breakout season.
Williams said if the Jets don’t get a deal done before the offseason program begins, he will skip the start of OTAs — at least.
“Everybody knows I’m a team guy, everybody knows I believe in team,” he said Monday. “But I do want to get a contract done before the offseason program. I do feel like I deserve to get a contract done before the offseason program just because I did everything right on the field and did everything right off the field.
“Just having the organization behind me just like I’m behind them just shows that they really support me.”
When asked if he will miss voluntary OTAs if he doesn’t have a deal done, Williams said, “Yeah, I would skip it.”
Williams, the No. 3 pick in 2019, led the Jets with 12 sacks, the second most among defensive tackles behind Kansas City’s Chris Jones’ 15.5. Williams is the first Jet since Muhammad Wilkerson in 2015 to register double-digit sacks. Wilkerson was the Jets’ last first-round pick that they extended back in 2016. He was released less than two years later.
Williams knows that and said he has faith that the organization will take care of him. He said he believes in what general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh are building.
“To see where this culture is going, to see where we’re going as a defense, as a whole, I want to be a big part of that culture change,” Williams said. “I want to be a big part of the New York Sack Exchange 2.0-type thing. That’s a big thing that means a lot to me.”
Douglas raved about Williams and said he “was a big part of our success this year” but didn’t get specific about a timetable for when things will get done. He said they will meet and put together a plan regarding how they spend their money, but they want to keep Williams.
“We all love Quinnen,” Douglas said. “Quinnen’s 25. He’s had a fantastic season. Still think there’s a lot of upside for him. We want Quinnen here.”
The Jets picked up Williams’ fifth-year option, worth more than $10 million. A handful of tackles make more than $20 million annually, including Aaron Donald, DeForest Buckner. Leonard Williams and Jones.
Williams smiled when asked if he has a number in mind.
“I just want to be compensated for what I am [worth],” he said. “My agent is going to handle all of that.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
