Report: Jets make definitive decision on future of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams

The New York Jets have reportedly made a major decision regarding the future of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Jets have decided to pick up the fifth-year option for Williams, keeping him under contract through the 2023 season.

“The Jets have picked up DT Quinnen Williams’ fifth-year option for 2023, per source,” Breer tweeted. “So he’s locked in on fully-guaranteed money the next two years.”

Per Spotrac, the fifth-year option for Williams is worth $10.753 million.

The Jets selected Williams with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama. As a rookie in 2019, he totaled 28 tackles with four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits in 13 games with nine starts. Williams then had 55 tackles with ten tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 14 quarterback hits with two forced fumbles in 13 games in 2020. This past season, Williams totaled 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and three passes defended in 15 games.

Williams is a key part of the Jets defensive line, and now he is set to remain with the team at least for the next two seasons.

The Jets took Williams third overall after he starred at Alabama

Williams is a former four-star college recruit and one of the top players in his class out of the state of Alabama. He played two years for the Crimson Tide, turning into a star by the end of his collegiate career. In nine games as a freshman in 2019, he totaled 20 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in nine games. Then, in 2018, Williams erupted with 71 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one pass defended in 15 games.

Williams has been hindered by injuries at times in his career, but he is still a young player with a ton of potential. The Jets are hoping that he is able to continue growing, eventually finding the same level of production he showed in his final year of college football.