Column: Quincy Williams, not Quinnen, is the best Jets’ defender this season

By Matt O’Leary | @MattOLearyNY

What if I told you that despite All-Pros like Sauce Gardner, C.J. Mosley, and Quinnen Williams last season, the Jets’ best defender in 2023 isn’t one of them?

In reality, linebacker Quincy Williams, Quinnen’s older brother, has emerged as the unexpected hero in the heart of the team’s defense.

Despite having one of the league’s worst offenses last season, the Jets’ defense ranked fourth. With the return of these three stars and Aaron Rodgers leading the way, many anticipated an even stronger defense in 2023.

The Jets added veterans Al Woods and Quinton Jefferson to the defensive line and drafted Will McDonald in the first round to bolster the pass rush. Quinnen secured a massive $96 million contract extension in the offseason.

Yet, Quincy has outperformed them all this season. Here’s why.

Why Quincy Williams is the Jets’ best defender

While Quinnen received a significant extension, Quincy signed a three-year, $18 million contract after a solid 2022 season.

Quincy posted back-to-back 100 tackle seasons for the Jets, but consistency was always a slight problem with his game. His film was littered with splashy plays and big hits, but the variance was substantial.

Missed tackles plagued him as he led the team with 17 missed tackles and a 14% miss rate, according to PFF, in 2022. He was missing tackles at 12.1%, 25%, and 23% the three years prior. That problem has vanished as his missed tackle rate is a much more respectable 8.3%.

Pass coverage was an area in which he struggled as well. In 2022, Quincy saw 85.7% of his targets completed when teams threw his way and he was credited for allowing two touchdowns. In 2023, Quincy has been one of the league’s best cover linebackers allowing completions on 74.3% of balls thrown his way and tying a career-high of pass breakups, three, in just five games.

The two areas of his concern are just flat-out gone, and the splashy plays that we saw the last two seasons have even increased in his third year with the Jets. In the Jets’ Week 5 win over the Denver Broncos, Quincy came up with the play of the game. A strip sack that resulted in a Bryce Hall touchdown to end Denver’s chance of a game-winning drive.

QUINCY WILLIAMS LOOKS A LOT LIKE HIM.#NYJvsDEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/YSy4Q03PXi

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2023

Williams is playing at an All-Pro level. According to ESPN radio host Jake Asman, Quincy became the first player in Jets history to record nine or more tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits in a single game. He was the biggest reason for the Jets win on Sunday over the Denver Broncos.

He’s on pace to have a whopping 163 tackles, seven sacks, and 17 tackles for a loss. With all due respect to Quinnen, Quincy has been better this year.

Words from Quincy after his big game.

Quinnen Williams in 2023

Don’t worry, Quinnen hasn’t been too shabby himself for the Jets in 2023. With only 0.5 sacks through the first five games, fans who take a glance at the box score might assume that he hasn’t lived up to the contract. That couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Quinnen has racked up 20 pressures on the quarterback, which ranks him fourth in the NFL for interior defensive lineman. He also grades out nicely as a run defender, which is nothing new for Quinnen, now in his fifth season in the NFL.

If he continues to get pressure on the quarterback, the sacks will come. No one should be concerned with Quinnen this season. We just need to show Quincy his flowers.

He’s been the best Jets’ defender on one of the premier defenses in the league. From waiver claim in 2021 to All-Pro in 2023? It appears that’s where this season is headed for Quincy, and I for one am here for it.

Here’s a breakdown video of the rise of Quinnen to stardom.

Up next

The New York Jets (2-3) take on the reigning NFC champions, the Philadelphia Eagles (5-0), this Sunday at home for a 4:25 p.m. kick-off. The game will air on FOX.

Top: New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) lines up against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)