Avery Williamson Has Likely Played Last Game For NY Jets

Former Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson suffered a torn ACL in the New York Jets second preseason game on Thursday night. The timing could not be worse for Williamson, as he was set to lead a much-improved defense alongside fellow linebacker CJ Mosley.

The injury occurred late in the 2nd quarter, at which point every single NY Jet starting defender was on the sideline except for Williamson.

“Everybody’s slotted for a different amount of snaps,” head coach Adam Gase explained Thursday night. “Some guys we’re trying to get with certain packages and you’re a 1 in this group, a 2 in this group. The last two weeks, he’s kind of stayed in there a little longer.”

There’s no one to blame in a situation like this, but it is easy to question the decision-making after the fact.

This injury to the ACL is by no means the end of Williamson’s career, but it likely does end his time as a NY Jet.

Back in 2018, Williamson signed a three-year $22.5 million deal, but only $16 million is guaranteed. The guaranteed money runs out at the end of this year, so the Jets will have to decide whether or not the $8.5 million cap hit is worth it to keep him. They can release him to free agency for just $2 million in dead cap.

The Jets will likely release him as the cap hit will not be worth a linebacker coming off a serious knee injury.

At 27 years old, there will be a market for Williamson, but coming off a torn ACL he will likely have to play at a discounted rate.

BBN, show some support to Avery as he begins the long road back.

@EMitchKSR