Jets’ Joker Entrance Sparks Reactions as Dolphins Dominate Early at MetLife
Quincy Williams turned heads before the opening whistle ever blew on Sunday - and not just because of his play. The Jets linebacker showed up to MetLife Stadium channeling Gotham’s most infamous villain, complete with Joker face paint, as New York debuted their “Gotham City” alternate uniforms against the Miami Dolphins.
The look was bold, theatrical, and maybe a little too on-the-nose for a team sitting at 3-9 heading into the game.
The Dolphins wasted no time reminding the Jets that this wasn’t a comic book - it was real life, and Miami came to handle business. By the end of the first quarter, they had already punched in three touchdowns.
Jaylen Waddle got the party started, followed by explosive runs from De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright. Before fans could even settle into their seats, the Jets found themselves in a deep hole.
And the hits kept coming - literally. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor exited the first quarter with a groin injury, leaving his status uncertain.
With Justin Fields already sidelined, that meant undrafted rookie Brady Cook had to step in under center. Cook, the third-stringer, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight against one of the league’s fastest defenses.
There was at least one bright spot in an otherwise grim opening frame: Isaiah Williams delivered a jolt of energy with an 87-yard punt return touchdown that gave the Jets a flicker of life. It was the kind of play that can swing momentum - but against a high-octane Miami offense, it was going to take more than special teams magic to turn the tide.
The Joker-inspired entrance from Williams - a nod to the team’s darker “Gotham City” uniforms - was meant to add some flair to the occasion. The Jets’ social media team leaned into the theme, posting a video of Williams’ arrival with the caption, “Welcome to Gotham City.”
But not every fan was in the mood for theatrics. With the team’s record and playoff hopes long faded, some supporters voiced frustration online.
“Just make your tackles today,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, “This would be so awesome if we were a decent team.”
It’s worth noting that Williams’ brother, Quinnen Williams - a former cornerstone of the Jets’ defense - was recently traded to the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster deal that netted New York a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. That trade marked a clear pivot toward the future, and for Quincy, Sunday’s Joker persona may have been a way to bring some energy to a team still finding its identity.
Head coach Aaron Glenn is in the early stages of his tenure, and while the record remains tough to look at, there are signs of progress. The Jets’ three wins this season have all come in the last five games - against the Bengals, Browns, and most recently, the Falcons. That’s not nothing, especially considering the instability at quarterback.
On the other sideline, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins came into this game riding a three-game win streak, including a statement 30-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Miami’s season has had its bumps, but they appear to be regaining momentum at the right time.
As for the Jets, Sunday’s game was another reminder that style points only go so far. In Gotham City, it’s still all about results - and the Dolphins delivered theirs early and often.