One day after trading two of their best players, the New York Jets made an important roster decision involving linebacker Quincy Williams.
Jets LB Quincy Williams
Story: In a span of 24 hours, Quincy Williams lost his starting job and lost his brother to the Cowboys.
An eventful week in Florham Park, where Aaron Glenn is attempting a defensive makeover on the fly. #Jets https://t.co/fSHURY1l4j
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 5, 2025
The New York Jets defense will look completely different in Week 10.
After trading Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the Jets have benched Quinnen’s brother, Quincy.
“My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Quincy Williams told ESPN on Wednesday.
Williams described himself as “a non-starting Jet” and has “no clue” what his role will be against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10.
Williams, 29, has definitely underperformed compared to previous seasons. After starting the first three games of the season, Williams landed on the injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 21.
Williams returned to action in the Jets’ Week 8 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Williams has registered 22 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack in four games this season.
Williams joined the Jets ahead of the 2021 season after being waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The linebacker has started 65 games during his Jets tenure.
Williams was named First-Team All-Pro in 2023 after he set a career high in tackles with 139. Following the All-Pro season, Williams signed a three-year, $18 million contract.
The veteran linebacker now finds himself in the final year of that contract.
“I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s one of those things where I’m not mad about it because they told me what I need to get better at,” Williams added on how he can improve to see the field.
Jets Shake Up The Entire Roster
new threads. pic.twitter.com/kq8cKIt9LP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 4, 2025
The Jets were by far the biggest player in the hours leading up to the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
First, the Jets traded Gardner, an All-Pro cornerback, to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and wide receiver AD Mitchell.
Soon after the Gardner trade, the Jets dealt another All-Pro, Quinnen Williams, to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
At 1-7, the Jets are punting on the season. Their immediate future is bleak because the defense lost its two best players.
However, head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey have a treasure trove of top draft picks for the next two years.
The Jets have two first-round picks in 2026 and three first-round picks in 2027. For a team that needs to find its franchise quarterback, having multiple first-round picks the next two years is extremely valuable.
The Jets host the Cleveland Browns (2-6) in Week 10.
