Jets’ Quincy Williams Benched: Another Piece Falls in New York’s 2025 Defensive Collapse
The New York Jets’ latest episode of organizational chaos has claimed another victim. Former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams found himself demoted to the bench this week, adding yet another layer to what’s become the most spectacular defensive dismantling in recent NFL memory.
The Fall From Grace Continues
Williams learned of his demotion Monday—the same day the Jets were orchestrating their fire sale of defensive talent. According to the linebacker, his coaches pulled no punches: he’s been underperforming since training camp. That’s a brutal assessment for a guy who was first-team All-Pro just two seasons ago.
“My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Williams told reporters Wednesday. Not exactly the kind of feedback that makes you feel warm and fuzzy about your job security.
The timing couldn’t be more brutal. Within 24 hours, Williams went from starting linebacker to backup while watching his younger brother Quinnen get shipped to Dallas and cornerstone cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner head to Indianapolis. The Jets managed to turn their defense from feared to dismantled faster than you can say “rebuild.”
What Went Wrong for Williams?
The numbers tell a sobering story. Williams currently ranks 57th out of 82 linebackers according to Pro Football Focus, sporting an overall grade of 55.2. That’s a steep drop from his 10th-place ranking (81.1 grade) during his All-Pro campaign in 2023.
His 2023 season was genuinely impressive: 139 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed, and an interception. Those are legitimate playmaker numbers. But this year? In just four games (he missed four with a shoulder injury), he’s managed 22 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack. The decline is undeniable.
The Bigger Picture: Jets in Full Teardown Mode
Let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t just about one linebacker’s struggles. The Jets traded away Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Quinnen Williams for a haul of future picks, signaling they’re tanking and rebuilding.
Head coach Aaron Glenn tried to spin it positively, telling fans he wants them to be proud of the team. But then he added this gem: “I never said they were going to be proud of them right now.”
First off that’s a full blown lie as Glenn said the Jets were a win now team during his introductory press conference. Also, that’s one way to manage expectations when you’re 1-7 and gutting your roster. But hey let’s be proud of them and trust the process when there is still an unknown with the head coach. At least the practices are still damn good.
What’s Next for Williams?
Williams will be active Sunday against Cleveland, though his exact role remains unclear. Rookie Kiko Mauigoa is the leading candidate to take over the starting spot. For Williams, it’s a humbling fall—from All-Pro to backup in less than two years.
He’s in the final year of his three-year, $18 million contract, signed after that stellar 2023 campaign. With his brother now in Dallas and his starting job gone, Williams finds himself at a crossroads. He says he’s not thrilled about the demotion but claims he’s not angry because the coaches told him what he needs to improve.
That’s about as gracious a response as you can muster when your world’s been flipped upside down.
Looking Ahead
The Jets’ defensive transformation (or destruction, depending on your perspective) represents one of the boldest mid-season teardowns in recent memory. Whether it’s brilliant long-term thinking or organizational malpractice won’t be clear for years.
What is clear? Quincy Williams’ fall from All-Pro to backup perfectly encapsulates everything going wrong in East Rutherford right now. Sell the freaking team, Woody.
