The New York Jets are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the bigger decisions looming involves linebacker Quincy Williams. After several productive seasons in green and white, including an All-Pro nod in 2023, Williams’ future with the franchise is far from guaranteed. And with the Jets’ defense taking a major step back last season, the front office is now faced with a tough call: bring Williams back, or let him walk and retool the linebacker room entirely?
Let’s break it down.
Williams has been a sparkplug on defense since joining the Jets in 2021, bringing speed, energy, and a physical edge to the second level. At his best, he’s a tone-setter-flying sideline to sideline, delivering big hits, and injecting life into the unit.
But 2025 saw a shift. His role diminished, his snaps fluctuated, and the defense as a whole struggled to find its identity under new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
That change in direction was hard to miss. Williams, once a central figure under Robert Saleh’s scheme, found himself benched at times and seemingly out of sync with the new system.
It’s not just about performance-it’s about fit. And Glenn appears to be looking for a different type of linebacker to anchor his scheme.
That philosophical shift could be the writing on the wall for Williams’ time in New York.
There’s also the emotional and personal side of the equation. Williams joined the Jets alongside his brother, star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
But with Quinnen traded to the Cowboys at the deadline, the family connection that once tied Quincy to the organization is no longer there. That move may have signaled a broader change in direction for the franchise-and possibly for Quincy himself.
From a roster-building standpoint, the Jets may be eyeing more cost-effective options. Whether through the draft or free agency, finding a linebacker who better fits Glenn’s vision-and comes with a smaller price tag-could be the move. If the team isn’t planning to give Williams the playing time his talent deserves, then paying him top dollar doesn’t make much sense.
Still, none of this should overshadow what Williams has meant to the Jets. He was a key piece during some of the defense’s better stretches under Saleh, and he’s earned respect around the league for his play. He may not command the biggest free-agent deal out there, but he’s the kind of player who could thrive in the right situation-especially on a contender that values his skill set.
And yes, the idea of reuniting with his brother in Dallas is out there. The Cowboys could certainly use help on defense, and the Williams brothers have shown they can be a force when on the same side of the ball.
At the end of the day, this isn’t a knock on Quincy Williams-it’s a reflection of where the Jets are headed. A new defensive coordinator, a shifting roster philosophy, and some tough financial decisions all point toward change. And for Williams, that change might mean a fresh start somewhere else.