Jets Defensive Film Room: Quincy Williams Fades, Khalen Saunders Struggles, Jordan Clark Flashes
The Jets defense has been a rollercoaster this season, and Sunday’s loss to Miami was no exception. The Dolphins pounded the ball on the ground for over 230 yards, and while there were a few bright spots, there was also plenty of concern-particularly when it comes to the front seven. Let’s break down three key defenders and how their performances shaped the game.
Quincy Williams: Where’s the Impact?
Quincy Williams once looked like one of the best bargains in the league. After earning All-Pro honors and locking in a $6 million-per-year extension, expectations were sky-high. But this season, and especially on Sunday, the splash plays that once defined his game have become too few and far between.
To be fair, we saw flashes of the old Quincy. On a couple of early-down run plays, he diagnosed the action quickly-one where he didn’t bite on misdirection and filled the gap for a stuff, and another where he beat a pulling center to the edge and shed the block to make a stop.
That’s the kind of aggressive, instinctive play that made him a standout next to C.J. Mosley in years past.
But those moments were the exception, not the rule. Williams finished with just one tackle after halftime, and four of his five total tackles came on plays that still moved the chains. That’s not what you want from a linebacker when the opposing team runs the ball over 40 times.
Even his lone sack came on a free run through the A-gap, and he didn’t quite finish the play-credit to Micheal Clemons for cleaning it up. In coverage, Williams was targeted three times and gave up three catches, including two for first downs.
One of those was a particularly rough look, as both he and Jamien Sherwood covered the fullback underneath, leaving the tight end wide open for a 23-yard gain. It was a clear communication breakdown.
Tackling has also been an issue all season. Outside of the New England game, Williams has missed at least one tackle in every outing. That’s a troubling trend for a player whose game is built on speed and aggression.
With his brother no longer on the roster and his contract expiring at season’s end, the question has to be asked: Is Quincy Williams part of the Jets’ future? Right now, that answer feels increasingly uncertain.
Khalen Saunders: A Stopgap with Limited Impact
When the Jets traded Quinnen Williams, it looked like Mazi Smith might be in line for more snaps. But after a pair of underwhelming games, the team pivoted to veteran Khalen Saunders, who’s now holding down a rotational role on the interior.
Saunders has a solid résumé-48 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs in 2022, and a full season as a starter with the Saints in 2023. But his stint with the Jaguars didn’t pan out, and now he’s trying to carve out a role in New York.
Physically, Saunders looks heavier than his listed 324 pounds, and it shows at times. He still has some pop at the point of attack, but his conditioning and mobility appear to be limiting factors.
On one play, he was lined up at nose and got washed out laterally, creating a massive lane for a big gain up the middle. To his credit, he hustled back to make the tackle, but the damage was done.
He logged 19 snaps against Miami-13 of them on run downs-but wasn’t able to help slow down a Dolphins rushing attack that racked up nearly 240 yards. Saunders isn’t under contract beyond this season, and while the Jets clearly see him as a more reliable option than Smith right now, it’s hard to see long-term upside here.
The rest of the season could determine whether Saunders sticks around as a depth piece or if the Jets turn the page entirely in the offseason.
Jordan Clark: Quiet Debut, but Promising Signs
One of the few encouraging developments on Sunday came from rookie nickelback Jordan Clark, who stepped into the lineup with Ja’Sir Taylor inactive following a rough outing the week before.
Clark only played 15 snaps-Miami’s run-heavy game plan kept the Jets in base defense for most of the afternoon-but he made the most of his limited action. In coverage, he was targeted twice and both passes fell incomplete. He consistently looked like he was in the right spot when Tua Tagovailoa dropped back.
He nearly had a chance to break the Jets’ long interception drought, too. On one play, Clark tracked a crosser and looked poised to snag a tipped pass before Isaiah Oliver got a hand on it and redirected it away.
Against the run, Clark wasn’t afraid to get physical. He filled a gap on one play to force a runner outside for a minimal gain and showed some willingness to mix it up at the line of scrimmage. He did get caught in the wash on Ollie Gordon’s touchdown run and was sealed off on a screen pass (which was ultimately negated by a penalty), but those are teachable moments for a young player.
He didn’t officially register a missed tackle, though he did whiff on a potential tackle for loss on a second-and-short play. Still, the instincts and effort were there.
Clark also contributed on special teams, which will be key if he wants to hold onto this role. With Taylor seemingly in the doghouse and Jarvis Brownlee now on injured reserve, the door is open for Clark to lock down the nickel spot for the final stretch of the season.
If he can continue to build on this performance, he could emerge as a bright spot in what’s been a frustrating year for the Jets' secondary.
Bottom Line
The Jets defense is in flux. Veterans like Quincy Williams and Khalen Saunders are struggling to make consistent impacts, while rookies like Jordan Clark are getting their first real taste of NFL action.
With the season winding down and playoff hopes fading, these final games are about more than just wins and losses-they’re auditions for 2026. And right now, Clark might be making the strongest case to stick around.