The New York Jets are making dramatic moves on their defensive roster. As part of this, they’ve stripped linebacker Quincy Williams of his starting status. Those conversations were the result of a series of conversations between Williams and the coaching staff. On Monday, they told him that he was being benched as a starter. Williams has gone on to start all 65 games for the Jets since first joining the team in 2021. In 2023, he received first-team All-Pro honors and recently signed a three-year, $18 million deal.
This stark demotion comes at a very unsettling moment for the Jets. And then, within 24 hours of Williams losing his starting gig, his younger brother, Quinnen Williams, was traded from the Jets to the Atlanta Falcons. This move raises deep questions over the Jets’ defense. They must get focused on their next opponent, the Cleveland Browns.
The jet nonstarter Quincy Williams on getting demoted. He accepted that the coaches’ goal was to get him better with his hand usage. They persuaded him to play with a more aggressive, downhill playing style. When Williams takes the field against the Browns on Sunday, he’ll be a head-coach-in-the-making. Yet, he’s not quite convinced of his place in the game.
“I think I’ve said this a million times, over and over, that Breece was not a guy I wanted to get rid of,” said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, hinting at the ongoing changes within the team’s structure.
Even with the disappointing news, Quincy Williams is focused on creating positive from this unfortunate circumstance. He characterized the talk with the coaching staff as his chance at a “new slate.” For his part, Harrison acknowledged that he’s not happy about it. On the flip side, here’s what he said, “I’m not angry because they told me what I should work on.”
Williams has now seen action in four games this season, notching 22 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. He also missed four games with a shoulder injury. He was back recently and was a difference maker in the Jets’ Week 8 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals, registering two pass breakups and one tackle for loss.
Williams is looking to build on this solid performance in a Monday night showdown with the Cleveland Browns. He’s focused on improving his game and finding his place in the team. During what will presumably be a very troublesome season for the Jets, they will definitely depend on Williams’ experience and skills.
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