The New York Jets may have brought in star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and surrounded themselves with some key new players, but it appears they aren’t doing the best job at prioritizing an extension for a player who has been one of the most important parts of their team for the past few seasons.
According to a report from Rich Cimini of ESPN, the New York Jets “aren’t close” to a contract extension with star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams even after some other top defensive linemen got contract extensions this offseason
“Two defensive tackles from Quinnen Williams’ draft class — Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons ($23.5 million per year) and the New York Giants’ Dexter Lawrence ($22.5 million) — have received big extensions this offseason. Williams appears to be The Next Man Up, but the two sides aren’t close to an agreement even though the second-contract market for top defensive tackles is clearly formed,” Cimini wrote for ESPN this week.
“The Jets have leverage because they have Williams’ rights for 2023, plus a potential franchise tag in 2024, but it doesn’t do them any good to upset one of their top players. In the meantime, he’s skipping voluntary workouts,” Cimini continued.
It’s certainly not great news that the Jets can’t seem to come to a deal with one of the top players on their defense, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Twitter as a result.
https://twitter.com/PodThorn/status/1655238181707497481?s=20
It will certainly be interesting to see what Williams’ long-term future with the team will be given this perceived contract impasse. However, the two sides do still have plenty of time to work out a deal.
[ESPN]
About Kevin Harrish