With Training Camp and Hard Knocks right around the corner for the New York Jets, they finally managed to knock out one of their more pressing needs just in the nick of time. All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams, who is coming off a breakout season, cashed in on a four-year, $96 million contract extension. With just one year left on his rookie deal, this extension ensures that Williams stays in New York through the 2027 season.
The deal includes $66 million in guarantees, which surpasses the $51 million in guarantees given to LB C.J Mosley as the most ever in franchise history. What’s more, it makes Williams the second-highest paid defensive-tackle in the league in terms of annual value.
Here’s what ESPN had to say in detail about where his contract value stacks up against other notable DTs around the NFL.
“At $24 million per season, he surpasses the Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons ($23.5 million) for the No. 2 spot, behind Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald ($31.7 million). Williams’ $66 million guaranteed surpasses Donald ($65 million), however, for the most guaranteed money in a defensive tackle’s contract, according to the Roster Management System.”
Looking back, the road to reach this point wasn’t a smooth one. Williams had been voicing his displeasure all off-season, most notably when he updated his Twitter bio to remove mentioning of the Jets. The two sides reportedly went an entire month without speaking to each other, as well. Despite that, Jets head coach Robert Saleh was confident that a deal would get done, and his star player would remain on the team for the foreseeable future.
Now, Williams is ready to lock in with his teammates & help the team meet the high expectations placed around them.
“The success of this organization is beyond important to me and completing this deal allows me to turn all my attention to positively impacting that,” Williams said in a statement Thursday. “I am thrilled to put forth my best efforts alongside my brothers to get prepared for this season ahead of us.”
A team to watch, that’s for certain.
Another four years of @QuinnenWilliams causing havoc up front for the @nyjets 😤 pic.twitter.com/mOePNiMjla
— NFL (@NFL) July 13, 2023
