The New York Jets dominated headlines this offseason as they completed a trade for star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With the dust settling around the league, however, the team has a new challenge to sort out before the start of the 2023 season. Star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is looking for a contract extension.
With fellow DTs Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne, and Jeffery Simmons cashing in this offseason, the deal should be fairly straightforward. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported Williams is “thought to be seeking” $23.5 million per year after seeing others get similar amounts.
We’re diving into the four best landing spots for Williams if the Jets balk at his contract demands. Any trade involving Williams should land the Jets at least a first-round pick, if not more, for the 25-year-old coming off a 12-sack season.
Quinnen Williams Landing Spots
Lions Bolster Defensive Line With Williams
The Detroit Lions are clearly going all in to win in 2023 and beyond. The Lions considered drafting Georgia star defensive tackle Jalen Carter with their sixth overall pick before ultimately trading down to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round. While Detroit ended up with a decent draft weekend haul, they still lack a star in the middle of their defensive line.
Williams would immediately change that.
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By giving second-year pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson a legitimate star next to him, the Lions’ defense can take a marked step forward from their woeful 28th-ranked scoring unit in 2022. If they fail to add Williams or someone of his caliber, the team would strangely bank on the addition of two notable rookies and defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley, and Cameron Sutton to spur a big change.
Internal growth will be key for the Lions to get better. However, the best way to contend is to feature a fierce pass rush. The Lions have dedicated several Day 2 picks to the line over the last three draft classes but have little to show for it.
A big contract plus a premium pick or two is a high cost, but Williams is the type of presence to push the franchise into real contention.
Texans Reshape Defense With Williams and Will Anderson Jr.
The Houston Texans were nearly the perfect trade partner for the Jets to unload Williams if they so choose. However, the Texans boldly traded their own 2024 first-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in order to move up for Will Anderson Jr. in the 2023 NFL Draft. But if the Texans decide the Cleveland Browns will be too good this year for them to land a premier player, they should get involved with Williams.
The Texans aren’t necessarily ready to win right now, but they’re wanting to be competitive. New head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke “want to be an aggressive and attacking [defensive] front.” The best way to do that is to rely on elite players like Williams and, possibly, Anderson.
Currently, Houston completely lacks legitimate pass rushers around Anderson. Fast-tracking their defensive rebuild can be risky, but it’s also important to note that his next contract will survive his prime years.
Seahawks Add Williams After Passing on Jalen Carter
Like the Lions, the Seattle Seahawks entered the offseason knowing their defense wasn’t up to snuff. Unlike the Lions, the Seahawks aggressively added talent in order to reach the postseason again in 2023. Instead of taking Carter at No. 5, the Seahawks took who the Lions wanted in cornerback Devon Witherspoon. They also signed Dre’Mont Jones and Bobby Wagner.
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Nevertheless, the 25th-ranked scoring defense could continue to use another threat on the line. Sliding Williams next to Jones would give the unit two bona fide terrors for blockers to contain as well as open opportunities for their teammates. The EDGE core of Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall needs a star to thrive off of.
The other factor here is Pete Carroll’s age. Turning 72 this fall, Carroll surely wants to win now. Next year’s late first-round pick will have far less of an impact than Williams will in the short and long term.
Cardinals Build Around Williams As New Face of Their Defense
Remember the Texans’ first-round pick that’s now in Arizona? The Cardinals probably should pocket that pick, sit Kyler Murray for as long as they can as he comes back from a torn ACL, and look to restock their awful roster for 2024.
But this is the same franchise that handed huge contracts to James Conner and Zach Ertz despite not having a decent offensive line or defensive front.
The Cardinals could justify moving either their own pick or the Texans’ 2024 first-rounder for Williams. With a ton of money likely coming off the books by next offseason with DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker trades possible, plus veteran releases, Arizona can thread the needle of revamping their roster without taking a massive step back in future years. That takes an elite talent like Williams.
New head coach Jonathan Gannon boldly passed on Carter twice despite Arizona having a barren defensive line. Adding Williams doesn’t completely fix a unit with more questions than answers, but he’d be a solidifying building block for them over the next five seasons.