Jets Sign Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams to 4-Year, $96M Deal
News 7/13/23
The New York Jets answered the biggest remaining question of their busy offseason on Thursday. The team signed standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a four-year, $96 million deal, the largest second contract ever for a defensive tackle, The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov reported.
Williams' deal includes $66 million guaranteed ($24 million AAV), and he will become the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in football behind Aaron Donald. The former third-overall pick did not attend the Jets' offseason workouts, as he was looking for a new deal.
His $66 million guaranteed is the largest in Jets' franchise history, jumping linebacker C.J. Mosley's $51 million guaranteed deal signed in 2019.
Last season, Williams made his first All-Pro team after racking up 12 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Williams was a major reason the Jets' defense finished near the top of the NFL in several major categories.
The Jets signing a first-round pick to a second contract is rare. Williams is the first Jets' first-round pick to sign a second contract since fellow defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson, who was selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Williams is the next in a long line of defensive tackles to receive an extension this offseason.
Tennessee gave Jeffery Simmons a four-year, $94 million deal, Daron Payne and Dexter Lawrence received a four-year, $90 million deal from the Commanders and Giants, respectively and Buffalo locked up Ed Oliver with a four-year, $68 million deal.
The Jets have high expectations this season with the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. Ensuring Williams would report to training camp was likely a priority for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2010.
Williams frequently expressed he wasn't happy with the Jets this offseason.
In May, Williams changed his Twitter bio to read “Defensive Tackle for ………” and retweeted an announcement of Lawrence’s extension. However, it seems the two sides ironed out their differences, posing Williams for another strong season.
Earlier today, Williams changed his Twitter bio again to read, "Defensive Tackle for The NEW YORK JETS."