During the 2023 NFL offseason, the New York Jets signed linebacker Quincy Williams to a three-year, $18 million deal. It was a contract that not many people were fond of at the time.
One New York Jets content creator, Matt O’Leary , thought it was an overpay. He explained hesitancies in giving Williams that much money, believing he was best suited as a depth piece not a regular part of the defensive alignment.
The final numbers for Williams came in under what O’Leary thought they would be, as rumors swirled he could receive $7-9 million annually. Instead, he is the 22nd highest-paid linebacker in the NFL.
Even if he had he agreed to a deal paying him in the $7-9 million range, the New York Jets would have a massive steal on their hands. Williams wasted no time showing people that he was worth the money the team paid him.
During the 2023 season, he was one of the most productive defensive players in the NFL. He played in all 17 games, starting 16 of them, and was on the field for 96 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
During his time on the field, he stuffed the stat sheet. He recorded a career-high 139 total tackles, with 15 tackles for a loss.
Williams also recorded four quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks and totaled five quarterback pressures. Where he made the biggest improvement was in his pass defense.
In his first four seasons in the NFL, he recorded seven passes defended. In 2023 alone, he had 10. No matter what it was the New York Jets asked of him defensively, he was able to get the job done.
His high level of production resulted in him being selected to the All-Pro First Team. It was the first accolade he received in his career, as he is still waiting on his first Pro Bowl nod.
How much value is Williams providing the New York Jets? As shared by Paul A. Edsen Jr. of Heavy, the life of his contract is less money than the other All-Pro First Team linebackers are making per season.
“The Jets will enjoy the fruits of this labor through the 2025 season. Williams is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. At that point, Williams will likely be looking for a significant pay raise.
The other two first-team All-Pro linebackers are at the top of the salary charts for their position. [Roquan] Smith is making $20 million per season and [Fred] Warner is making $19.04 million per season,” Edsen wrote .
If Williams can get close to replicating his production in 2024 as he did in 2023, he will be well on his way to a significant pay raise. It will be well earned, as he is currently one of the best linebackers in the NFL but isn’t being paid like one.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here .
Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network .
The post New York Jets Defensive Star Named One Of NFL’s Best Values appeared first on NFL Analysis Network .
Most Popular
Comments / 0