Gang Green and star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have yet to agree on a long-term contract extension.
That is why Williams was a no-show at the start of the Jets offseason program, which began Monday morning.
After the season’s conclusion, Williams told reporters that he wanted a new contract before the start of the Jets offseason program. He also said he wouldn’t attend the voluntary portion of the offseason program if he didn’t receive a contract extension.
Williams also said there’s a chance he might not show up to the mandatory portion of workouts in June without a new contract. The Jets agreed to an contract extension with his older brother Quincy in March.
Now he is also looking for a long-term deal past the 2023 season.
“I have done everything on and off the field that I can do,” Williams said in January regarding his contract extension. “I love this organization, I have been here four years and I have been through the ups and downs.
“I believe in Coach [Robert] Saleh and Joe [Douglas] what he has going on and the defense and what they have going on and this organization. As you guys can see, this defense is going to a new level, going from last, last year to top five and I want to be part of that for years to come.”
The first phase of the offseason will be two weeks of meetings, strength and conditioning. Phase two will include on-field workouts for the next three weeks. The third phase will consist of a total of 10 days of OTAs (organized team activities), with mandatory minicamp being held June 13-15.
Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract that will pay him $9.5 million. But he wants to be paid like one of the top defensive tackles in the league.
Following his 2022 season, Williams certainly has a case to be paid like one of the top players at his position. In 16 games, Williams had the best season of his career as he registered 55 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as he was a first-team All-Pro. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl and was voted the Jets’ team MVP.
At the NFL Annual Meetings last month, Douglas said talks with Williams’ agent, Nicole Lynn were in a “positive place.” But there’s no timeline on when the contract will get done.
Currently, the Jets have just a little over $8 million in salary cap space. This is before the likely trade of quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he is under contract with the Packers for a $59 million salary in 2023.
As rapper Fat Joe once said, “yesterday’s price is not today’s price.” How it relates in this case, the longer the Jets wait to pay Williams, the more expensive it will get for them. Already this offseason, several defensive tackles have signed rich contracts.
The Commanders signed Daron Payne to a four-year $90 million extension last month with a $46 million signing bonus, now the third-highest salary for a defensive tackle. That is because earlier this month, the Titans and Jeffery Simmons agreed to a four-year, $94 million extension with $47.7 million in guarantees.
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains the top earner in terms of defensive tackles as he signed a three-year, $95 million extension before the 2022 season, including a $25 million signing bonus.
Williams will likely command a contract between what Payne saw and the four-year, $81 million contract the 49ers signed Javon Hargrave to this offseason. The Jets certainly don’t have to give Williams a new deal right now, as he is under contract until after the 2023 season.
Gang Green will also have the franchise tag at their disposal should they have to use it. The franchise tag tender in 2023 was $18.9 million.
Dolphins’ Christian Wilkins and the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence are two defensive tackles in the 2019 draft class who also want new contracts. So, the sooner, the better for the Jets to work out a deal with Williams.
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