Rich CiminiNov 5, 2025, 05:53 PM ETCloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.Follow on X
Jets demote LB Williams amid defensive shakeup (0:58)Jets demote LB Williams amid defensive shakeup (0:58)
In addition to trading cornerstone players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the Jets have demoted former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams.
“My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Williams told ESPN on Wednesday after practice.
This has been a week of upheaval for the Jets (1-7), who returned to work Wednesday after the blockbuster deals at the trading deadline — Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts; Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
Williams, 29, is in the final year of his contract. He has started 65 games for the Jets, dating to 2021. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, parlaying that success into a three-year, $18 million contract.
In four games this season, he has 22 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Williams, who missed four games with a shoulder injury, was active in the last game, with two pass breakups and one tackle for loss in the Week 8 win over the Bengals.
“[Quinnen Williams] was such a huge pillar to the foundation of this locker room, and he embodied what it meant to be a Jet,” Lazard said.
The trades put Glenn in a delicate spot. The organization is building for the future — the two trades netted three future first-round picks — but Glenn’s job is to win games now. He insisted motivation won’t be a problem for the locker room.
His message to the long-suffering fans suggested that he’s already thinking beyond this season. Before Week 1, he said he wanted the Jets to be a team that made the fan base proud. That, he said, would define a successful season.
“I want this to be a team that the fans are proud of, but again, I never said they were going to be proud of them right now,” Glenn said.
Predictably, players spouted the company line regarding the trades. They said it hurt to see two talented teammates get traded, but they reiterated what Glenn had told them in the morning team meeting: The only thing constant is the NFL is change, and that change brings opportunity.
“It’s just the nature of the business,” running back Breece Hall said. “[We] lost two really good players, two people I’m really good friends with. It sucks, but it is what it is.”
The Jets weighed offers for Hall, according to reports, but decided to keep him. Hall said he never requested a trade, but there were reports that he would’ve welcomed one. He didn’t flat-out deny that, saying his only focus is the Browns on Sunday. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and could leave as a free agent.
“I think I’ve said this a million times, over and over, that Breece was not a guy I wanted to get rid of,” Glenn said. “I mean, he’s a damn good player.”
In other developments, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, out the past two games with a knee injury, practiced on a limited basis and is trending toward a return on Sunday.
Jets demote LB Williams amid defensive shakeup (0:58)Jets demote LB Williams amid defensive shakeup (0:58)
CloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.Follow on X
Rookie Kiko Mauigoa is the top candidate to replace Williams in the lineup.
On Wednesday, he amended that with an eyebrow-raising remark.
The Jets still haven’t named a starting quarterback. Said Justin Fields: “We’ll see.”
Jets demote LB Williams amid defensive shakeup (0:58)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets’ defensive shakeup continues.