Jets Gets Murky Quincy Williams Update Before Free Agency

Florham Park, N.J.—The Jets’ offseason blueprint grew hazier Thursday when ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that standout linebacker Quincy Williams is “likely” to exit the only NFL home he has known since 2020.

Williams, 29, technically became a free agent Friday after the final year of his deal voided, leaving the franchise facing the prospect of rebuilding its second level without the 2023 First-Team All-Pro who logged 83 tackles and a career-best 3.5 sacks in 13 games last season. A shoulder ailment sidelined him for four contests and limited the sideline-to-sideline range that once made him one of football’s most disruptive off-ball linebackers.

Scheme fit appears to be at the heart of the impasse. Williams struggled to adapt after the Jets pivoted to Steve Wilks’ system in 2025, at one point being benched mid-game. Although New York dismissed Wilks during the year, the unease lingered; Williams later told reporters, “When I’m in the right defense, I ball out.” A schematic overhaul is expected again in 2026, but that may not be enough to entice the veteran back to 1 Jets Drive.

Cimini notes that both camps “are looking for a fresh start,” a sentiment underscored by Williams’ age and positional market. Off-ball linebackers entering their age-30 campaigns rarely trigger bidding wars, yet executives league-wide still see an upside play: the Mississippi State product has five years of starting tape in the AFC East and an All-Pro ceiling when deployed correctly.

One potential suitor already has a built-in rapport with Williams: former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, now directing the Tennessee Titans defense. Saleh’s affinity for Williams could fast-track negotiations once the legal tampering window opens, provided the price aligns with a veteran coming off an uneven season.

For the Jets, losing Williams would amplify an already pressing need off the edge. New York finished 2025 searching for consistent pass-rush production, and subtracting their most versatile linebacker only raises the stakes for a front office armed with the No. 2 overall pick and abundant salary-cap space. General manager Joe Douglas could explore a replacement in free agency, the draft, or both, but replicating Williams’ rare speed-power blend remains a tall order.

As the league calendar flips toward March, the Jets’ defensive identity hangs in the balance. Retaining Williams would restore stability and leadership; watching him walk would signal the beginning of a full-scale reload—one that could play out in front of a fan base desperate for clarity after a turbulent season.