New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams has revealed that he has lost his position as a starter on the team”s defense. Williams, who earned All-Pro honors in 2023, was involved in trade speculation leading up to the NFL”s trade deadline on Tuesday. He expressed uncertainty about his status upon returning from the bye week.
“I didn”t know,” Williams said after practice on Wednesday. “I came in on Monday and I was a 2 (backup), so I didn”t really understand what was going on. So, I kind of had those thoughts also. But it was one of those things where I was like, dang, I kind of told the Jets I wanted to be a Jet for the long term, so I didn”t think a trade was (happening).” Despite staying with the Jets, his younger brother Quinnen was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, part of two major deals New York made. Cornerback Sauce Gardner was also sent to the Indianapolis Colts on the same day.
When asked if he still desires to be with the Jets after this season, Quincy Williams took a moment before responding, “Yeah. I want to play football. I”m not gonna lie to you. I”m at the position right now where I want to play football.” This season marks Williams” fifth year with the Jets after being claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. He quickly established himself as a key player in New York and became a standout in the league.
However, with the arrival of new head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Williams has not met expectations. He missed four games due to a shoulder injury but recorded seven combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and defended two passes in the Jets” thrilling 39-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on October 26.
In a separate interview with ESPN, Williams acknowledged that his coaches had informed him of his performance issues. “My coaches told me I was underperforming,” he said. “That I”ve been underperforming since training camp.” In 2023, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Jets and is currently in the last year of that deal.
On the day of the trades, Quincy was in conversation with Quinnen when he learned of the Gardner deal. “He said, “Hold on, y”all. I”m going to the Cowboys,”” Quincy recalled. “So it was one of those things where it was like, all right, take a little minute and hit me up later. And he was like, “I”m (gonna) be on the flight tonight.” They shared nostalgic memories during their chat but also acknowledged the changes ahead for both of them.
Running back Breece Hall, who has also been the focus of trade rumors recently, decided to stay with the team. While in the final year of his rookie contract, Hall denied claims that he requested a trade. When asked if he would have been open to a move, he remained ambiguous. “I mean, I don”t think it”s up to a player to be traded,” Hall stated. “I think in my situation it was, if I was gonna be traded, it was gonna be whether I wanted to be or not.”
When pressed further if he was hoping for a trade, Hall simply replied, “Nah. It”s just like I said — if it was gonna happen, it was gonna happen whether I wanted it to or not. So it was one of those things where I was like, I can”t control what”s gonna go on and it”s gonna be what it”s gonna be, so I just gotta be where my feet are and take it with a grain of salt, whatever happens.”
This season, Hall has rushed for 581 yards and two touchdowns, averaging five yards per carry. He also has 21 receptions for 178 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in New York”s first victory of the season against Cincinnati.
Coach Glenn expressed his commitment to Hall, stating, “I think I”ve said this a million times over and over that Breece was not a guy I wanted to get rid of. I mean, he”s a damn good player. And any of those, whatever you say came out, I don”t know what you”re talking about. Only thing I know is I”ve said that over and over again, so I don”t think it”s anything new to you guys.”
