The winds of change are blowing through Florham Park, and Quincy Williams might be the next Jet to ride them out of town.
After the New York Jets traded star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a haul of draft picks, all signs point to the team continuing its roster reset under new head coach Aaron Glenn. And that could mean moving on from Quinnen’s brother, linebacker Quincy Williams - a player who once thrived in green and white but struggled to find his footing this past season.
It’s not just about one down year. Williams’ fit in Glenn’s system - and previously under defensive coordinator Steve Wilks - never quite clicked.
His trademark sideline-to-sideline explosiveness felt muted, and there were stretches late in the year where his effort came under the microscope. Whether it was scheme, motivation, or just a tough season overall, the 2025 version of Quincy Williams didn’t look like the All-Pro linebacker Jets fans had come to know.
Now, with free agency looming, Williams is positioned to explore a fresh start - and the timing couldn’t be more intriguing. Two familiar faces from his Jets days are now running defenses elsewhere: Robert Saleh, the former Jets head coach, is now leading the Tennessee Titans, while ex-defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is back in charge of the Atlanta Falcons’ defense.
Both of those teams happen to have a need at linebacker, and both run the kind of scheme that once unlocked Williams’ full potential. It’s no coincidence that his breakout came under Saleh and Ulbrich, who built a system that let Williams play fast and free - attacking downhill, chasing plays from sideline to sideline, and using his athleticism as a weapon instead of trying to force him into a rigid role.
The numbers from last season paint a clear picture of why the Jets may be ready to move on. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams ranked 76th out of 88 qualifying linebackers overall, and his coverage grade was even more concerning - 80th out of 88.
Teams noticed. He was picked on in the passing game, and with fellow linebacker Jamien Sherwood also regressing, it created a soft spot in the middle of New York’s defense.
And then there’s the age factor. Williams turns 30 this season, and while that’s not ancient by NFL standards, it’s a pivotal point for a linebacker whose game is built on speed and range. If he’s lost even half a step, it changes the calculus on what he brings to a defense.
Still, there’s reason to believe a reunion with Saleh in Tennessee or Ulbrich in Atlanta could reignite his career. Both coaches know how to use him.
They know what he does well, and more importantly, what he doesn’t. If he’s going to bounce back, it’ll be in a system that plays to his strengths - not one that asks him to be something he’s not.
This feels like a natural parting of ways for Williams and the Jets - not a bitter breakup, but more of a mutual recognition that it’s time for a new chapter. And with his old coaches scattered across the league and looking to bolster their linebacker rooms, Williams should still have a market. He might not be the same player who was once a heartbeat of the Jets’ defense, but in the right system, there’s still a spark there worth betting on.
Keep an eye on No. 56. He may not be done making noise just yet.