Jets' All-Pro Defensive Tackle's Contract 'Most Important Roster Decision to Make Before Training Camp'

Sports Illustrated identified one issue for each NFL team to address in the coming weeks

© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

No surprise that Quinnen Williams' name popped up here.

Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano ran through the AFC rosters and chose the most important decision facing each team ahead of the post–June 1 cuts and training camp report dates. For the New York Jets' portion of his article, the SI scribe featured the Williams' contract situation. 

The 2023 season is the option year on Williams' rookie contract and the 25-year old  wants a new deal that pays market value. Although not officially holding out, the 2022 All-Pro First Team honoree has not been present at the team facility during the voluntary offseason program.

Williams caused a bit of a public stir when he recently "scrubbed" the Jets from his social media profiles.

When asked about Williams' status earlier this week in Florham Park, third-year head coach Robert Saleh did not express concern. 

"I’m not worried at all. That thing will get done and he’ll be here," said Saleh, who noted that Williams is an expecting father with a baby's due date approaching. 

Back on May 3, Jets' linebacker Quincy Williams spoke at the podium during OTAs and was asked about his younger brother.

"Quinnen's great actually. I talk to him every single day, same as always. They're having a baby girl. So, it's amazing. So, that's kind of what he's focusing on right now," said Quincy.

At the start of the new league year, Quincy Williams signed a new three-year deal to avoid free agency and remain a Jet.

From "The Most Important Roster Decision for Each AFC Team to Make Before Training Camp":

New York Jets: Quinnen Williams

"Entering the week, Williams’s Twitter bio still read, “Defensive Tackle for ……………….” But Jets fans shouldn’t worry—the team likely has no plans to trade him ahead of a critical season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote in his recent mailbag, the Jets have plenty of time to come to an agreement with their breakout star of 2022. New York can also wait until next offseason (it has the franchise tag as an option), but the team likely wants to avoid the needless drama. Williams might be pushing for a contract north of $25 million per year, which could be an issue for a team currently $43.2 million over the salary cap for next year, according to Over the Cap." 

— Gilbert Manzano

Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert are two of the biggest names in the AFC—and they are two of the many players teams will need to make contract decisions on this summer@GManzano24 lists the most important roster decision for each team in the conference https://t.co/kRkZTXCrho

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) May 24, 2023

The younger Williams, who is poised to earn a mega contract, has established himself as a centerpiece in the Jets' vaunted defense. He logged at least 6.0 sacks each of the past three years, including a career-high 12.0 QB takedowns in 2022. 

The former Alabama defensive tackle has totaled 27.5 sacks, 11 pass deflections, four forced fumbles and 60 quarterback hits over 57 regular season games (53 starts).

READ MORE:

No Quinnen Williams for Voluntary Workouts, No Problem

Kwon Gone? Jets' Free-Agent Linebacker Reportedly Visits Steelers

Rodgers Spends Tuesday on Sidelines at Jets' OTAs

On The Run, Rodgers Reaches Paydirt at New York Jets' OTAs

Jets' 2023 Unofficial Offseason Depth Chart