Robert Saleh provides latest on Quinnen Williams, Jets contract situation

It’s the time of year when NFL contact situations can dominate the headlines as players wait to attend OTAs and training camps until they have their new deals secured.

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams certainly falls into that category.

Williams is set to enter the fifth year of his deal with the Jets in 2023, and he’s looking to secure his long-term future after becoming one of the most productive defensive linemen in the league while on his rookie contract.

“I speak for everyone — I probably speak for Quinnen — in that we all want get done sooner rather than later,” coach Robert Saleh told ESPN. “I’ll let the business guys handle all that stuff, but it’s going to get done. He’ll be here for camp. He’ll be ready to roll and once he is, I’m sure it’ll be the same guy who was here.”

Williams’ rookie contract paid him a guaranteed $32.5 million after he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. When his current contract situation is resolved, expect him to make a lot more than that.

The former Outland Trophy winner has lived up to his billing coming out of Alabama, producing at the level you’d expect of a draft pick that high. Especially of late, Williams has emerged as an elite pass-rusher from the interior.

After recording 15.5 sacks in his first three seasons, Williams recorded 12 in 2022 alone. In four seasons he has racked up 179 tackles, 27.5 sacks and 11 passes defended.

He’s become a vital presence on the interior for the Jets.

Williams was even named a first-team All-Pro in 2022, showing how vital he is to the New York organization. So it’s little surprise the Jets are prioritizing getting a deal done. Williams should end up as one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the game when the contract situation is all said and done.

And coming out of Alabama that’s roughly what was expected.

Williams was a monster for the Crimson Tide from 2016-18, helping Alabama win a national title in the 2017 season as a redshirt freshman. He won the Outland Trophy and the Bill Willis Trophy in 2018, while hwas also named a first-team All-SEC selection and a unanimous All-American.

During his time at Alabama, Williams recorded 90 tackles, 25.0 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks and one pass defended.