Joe Douglas announced Wednesday at the 2022 NFL draft combine that the Jets are picking up Quinnen Williams’ fifth-year option.
“We’re excited to have Quinnen,” Douglas said. “This is going to be year two in a defense that we feel really accentuates his strengths, his positives. Looking forward to him coming back and dominating this offseason and have a great year.”
Williams didn’t dominate in 2021 after a breakout 2020 season, but he was still a top contributor on New York’s defensive line. The Alabama product finished with 53 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, six sacks and three pass deflections in 15 games. He routinely generated push in the trenches and made his fair share of plays in his first year playing in Jeff Ulbrich’s defense.
Williams has posted 136 tackles, 32 quarterback hits, 21 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks and seven pass deflections in three seasons with the Jets. New York will get Carl Lawson back at defensive end next season after he missed all of 2021 with a ruptured Achilles, raising the ceiling of the defensive line with Williams working at defensive tackle.
