A pending New York Jets free agent is set to receive life-altering money this offseason.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic shared in his Thursday, February 2 column that linebacker Quincy Williams is expected to have a “robust market” if he reaches unrestricted free agency.
The Jets originally acquired the former Murray State product off of waivers when the Jacksonville Jaguars released him ahead of final roster cuts in 2021.
Well well well: @ZackBlatt believes that #Jets LB Quincy Williams (@quincywilliams_) could have a “robust market” in free agency if he makes it there this offseason. 👀
It seems like he could command in the $7 million+ range on a multiyear deal.
Quincy Williams Has a Chance to Make Some Serious Cash From Jets or Elsewhere
Williams is 26 years of age and he will turn 27 by the start of the 2023 season.
Rosenblatt said the top 15 highest-paid linebackers in football all make at least $9 million per season. Three others make “at least $7 million” and he openly questioned if that will be “too rich for the Jets’ blood?”
By all accounts, it seems like Williams on the open market could be in that $7 million plus per year range on a multiyear deal.
However, not everyone buys that.
NFL Salary Cap Analyst Brad Spielberger joined my podcast and pushed back on these numbers suggesting that the second and third-tier level of linebackers won’t develop in that way.
Regardless of where you stand, free agents typically make a lot more money on the open market and that’s just how the business works.
Williams is young, explosive, and incredibly athletic.
This past season he delivered some strong production racking up 106 total tackles, three sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.
However, he’s not a perfect prospect by any means. Rosenblatt noted that he missed 17 tackles last year which was the 10th most among linebackers and he struggled in coverage ranking 51st out of 60 eligible linebackers with a minimum of 500 snaps.
The Jets gave his NFL career a second chance and Williams has taken full advantage of it. He has shown flashes of brilliance and the development arrow is certainly pointing in the right direction.
Quincy Williams Decision Will Have Major Ripple Effects for Jets
If the Jets decide to let Williams walk, they’ll have to replace him in the starting lineup.
He is one of two linebackers that are scheduled to be free agents for the Jets along with Kwon Alexander.
In addition to his actual impact whether he is on the team or not as it relates to the football team, there is also an 800-pound gorilla in the room.
How the Jets handle Quincy’s situation could directly impact Quinnen Williams this offseason.
The former first-rounder has made it known that he would like a fat new contract extension ahead of the 2023 season.
If the Jets dump Quincy on the side of the road that could rub Quinnen the wrong way. On the other side of the coin if they take care of his older brother it would make sense for Quinnen to be even more inclined to get his big deal done with Gang Green.
So there are a lot of variables in this conversation but at the very least the Quincy-Quinnen thing has to be considered when making some of those big decisions this offseason.
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Jets 26-Year-Old Expected to Have ‘Robust Market’ in Free Agency