The New York Jets have sent former first-team All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams to the bench.
Williams revealed to the media that he learned of his benching on Monday, November 3.
“My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Williams explained to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
“Williams said he’s ‘not thrilled’ with the decision, but he’s also ‘not mad’ because he hopes to win his job back,” Cimini posted on social media.
Williams Shares Details With the Media About Jets Benching
Williams was asked if he thought there was a chance he could be flipped ahead of the Tuesday, November 4, NFL trade deadline.
“I don’t know, I came in on Monday and was the two [second string], so I didn’t really understand what was going on. So I kind of had those thoughts also, but it was one of those things where I was like, damn, I kind of told the Jets that I wanted to be a Jet for the long term. So I ain’t think trading was [an option] anyway. So ain’t no telling,” Williams said.
A media member followed up by asking, Do you still feel that way? Do you still want to be a Jet long-term?
Williams paused for two seconds before responding, “Yeah. I want to play football, I ain’t going to lie to you. I’m in the position right now where I want to play football.”
Top Social Media Reactions to New Williams-Jets News
“Should have just traded Quincy Williams if you were gonna bench him,” Jets content creator Matt O’Leary reacted on X previously Twitter.
“Quincy Williams has underperformed this year. I don’t think that’s controversial to say. But he’s also not someone I’d really want to bench. Emotional leader who gives 110% every snap on defense. And if you know you’re benching him….why not trade him yesterday? Weird decision,” The Jet Press said on social media.
“Like it’s a nuanced conversation for sure, and I don’t hate the idea of benching an underperforming player in a vacuum. Just feels weird since you passed on trade offers for him yesterday and he’s on an expiring deal. Emotional leader on defense. If he’s here, he should play IMO [in my opinion],” The Jet Press continued.
Jets Seem Like They Screwed Themselves on Williams Decision
Williams will be a free agent in 2026. They just traded his brother in a blockbuster deal with the Dallas Cowboys. The former first-team All-Pro has now been sent to the bench and berated for “underperforming” for months.
That doesn’t sound like the perfect strategy for trying to convince him to return to the Jets this offseason. Multiple teams were interested in acquiring Williams ahead of the trade deadline.
That group includes the Cowboys, who had some discussions with the Jets about acquiring both Quinnen and Quincy. ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano explained that those talks fell apart, and Dallas pivoted to a different direction.
The Jets benched Williams before the trade deadline and then refused to move him to another team. An intersting storyline that we will have to continue to monitor during the second half of the season.
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