Quinnen

Williams

Williams returned to play last week after logging three consecutive Limited Participant designations. While it’s possible today is just a precautionary rest day after his reactivation last week, Williams’ inability to practice is at least somewhat worrisome.

Gardner was initially listed as a DNP for the third day in a row, but a correct was later issued, upgrading him to a limited practice on Friday. He still remains highly questionable for Week 17, but a return to practice at least gives him a shot at suiting up. The Jets are also hopeful that defensive tackle Quinnen Williams plays through his questionable tag.

The Jets’ defensive line is already banged up, so losing Williams in the interior of that line is a big loss. Expect the Rams to try to exploit that with Kyren Williams early and often.

Williams was listed as questionable on the final injury report after interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters the team was hopeful he would suit up this week. Per Garafolo, Williams will test out his hamstring this morning before the team makes a final decision. The stud interior pass-rusher has six sacks and eight TFLs this year, impressive numbers for a defensive tackle. Losing him would be a notable blow to a struggling Jets defense.

Per Ulbrich, the team will take things all the way down until kickoff with Williams, meaning he will officially be listed as questionable on the final injury report of the week. Williams has six sacks and eight TFLs this season. Losing him would be a massive blow to a Jets defense that has already collapsed since firing defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal includes $66 million in guarantees. At the beginning of May, it was reported that the two sides were not close to an agreement, but subsequent reports were more optimistic about a deal getting done. The Jets ultimately made Williams the second-highest-paid defensive tackle based on yearly earnings. Coming off a breakout year with 12 sacks and as many TFLs, Williams was more than deserving of a massive payday. He will anchor a defense that has quickly become one of the league’s most formidable units.

This is reportedly the feeling inside the Jets’ building as they continue to hammer out a new deal with Williams. Williams saw Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence sign a four-year, $90 million extension earlier this month, which should help serve as grounds for Williams’ next contract. Entering the final year of his contract, Williams has been absent from voluntary workouts as the two sides continue to negotiate, but there is reportedly hope that a deal could be in place in the coming weeks. When asked if he was worried about Williams’ signing an extension, head coach Robert Saleh said, “I’m not worried at all. That thing will get done, and he’ll be here.”

Dexter Lawrence signed an extension last week with the Giants, giving the two sides another data point in negotiations. Williams is skipping voluntary workouts and is on the fifth-year option, slated to hit free agency in 2024. Cimini writes that the Jets could potentially franchise tag Williams in 2024. Williams was a first-team All-Pro last season and will likely be seeking more than Lawrence and Jeffery Simmons got earlier this offseason.

Williams was already on record saying he wouldn’t attend if a new contract wasn’t in place, so this isn’t exactly a surprise. Currently set to play on the fifth year of his rookie contract, Williams is due to earn $9.594 million in 2023 but is seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $23-$25 million per year. Williams was named a First-team All-Pro last season and also earned his first Pro Bowl nod. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the two sides come to terms on a deal after the draft.

The third overall pick in 2019, Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Offseason extensions for Washington DL Daron Payne ($22M) and the Titans’ Jeffery Simmons ($23M) have set the market for a deal with Williams, who could become the highest paid defensive lineman behind Rams DT Aaron Donald. The Jets have a history of not re-signing first-round picks, with DL Muhammad Wilkerson the last first-rounder to get a second contract, but Williams should break that trend this offseason.