Quinnen Williams begins contract holdout this week amid discussions with the Jets

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will not be with his teammates when they begin the voluntary offseason workout program this week. Instead, he begins what could be a long holdout for a long-term contract while the two sides continue talks.

“All-Pro DL Quinnen Williams won’t report for the start of the team’s voluntary offseason program today, per sources,” NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared on Monday. “Williams, 25, said at the end of the season he wouldn’t attend without a new contract. He’s due $9.594 million on the fifth-year option on his rookie deal.”

According to Ian Rapoport, the Jets and Williams have been negotiating for at least “a few weeks,” but no signature from the former Alabama star yet.

The 2019 No. 3 overall pick had his best season yet in 2022, so he brings a strong resume to the negotiating table. He posted 55 total tackles, a career-high 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and even a blocked kick.

Through four years in the league, Williams has 191 tackles through 58 games and 27.5 sacks. Since he was drafted, he is 15th amongst defensive lineman in sacks.

He signed a rookie contract that was for four years, $32.5 million. The Jets have exercised the fifth-year option for an additional $9.6 million. Daron Payne, another defensive tackle out of Alabama but taken one year before Williams, signed a four-year, $90 million deal last month.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially ran out, making those players free agents. There were 722 players due to hit free agency in 2023.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7.

The legal negotiation period spanned from March 13 through March 15. The new year marked the beginning of all trades going official per the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.

On April 17, teams may begin offseason workout programs with players signed on the 2023 roster.

The deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview or conduct a physical examination with 2023 draft-eligible players at club facilities is on April 19. Teams can still have contact with draft prospects off campus until the draft begins on April 27.