The New York Jets are expected to make more moves ahead of the Tuesday, November 4 NFL trade deadline.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted that the Jets would strike a trade with a familiar face.
Jets receive: a 2026 fourth or fifth-round pick
49ers receive: linebacker Quincy Williams
“The 49ers (with former Jets coach Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator and without Fred Warner, lost to injury) make a lot of sense,” Rosenblatt explained.
In 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars waived Williams ahead of final roster cuts. Saleh and then Jets general manager Joe Douglas claimed him off waivers. It took time for him to develop, but Williams eventually evolved into a first-team All-Pro.
It was one of the most remarkable rags-to-riches stories in recent Jets history. Williams reuniting with Saleh in a new location could be magic.
Insider Breaks Down Williams’ Contract Situation
Williams, 29, is in the last year of his $18 million deal.
Rosenblatt revealed that Williams is “owed $3.6 million of his base salary for the remainder of this season, including the bye week. The Jets will carry a $4.875 million dead cap penalty in 2026 regardless of whether he’s on the roster.”
Jets ‘Unlikely’ to Pay Williams
The previous regime promised to give Williams a new deal during the 2025 offseason. However, the problem is that the regime that made that promise never made it to the offseason, getting fired during the 2024 season.
“The Jets just paid Jamien Sherwood $45 million over three years, and Williams will likely seek (and deserves) a similar payday. It’s unlikely the Jets would pay two linebackers that much money, and if the Jets are active in free agency, it’s unlikely they’ll get a compensatory draft pick if Williams signs with another team anyway,” Rosenblatt explained.
The Potential Pros of Trading Williams
If the squad is unlikely to get Williams back, you might as well get something guaranteed for him now, as opposed to losing him potentially for nothing in a couple of months.
Rosenblatt said rookie linebacker Francisco Mauigoa has been “playing well.” Williams was placed on injured reserve and missed four games. That gave Kiko plenty of playing time. However, in Week 8, Williams returned to the lineup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Williams proved he was healthy, appearing in 88% of the defensive snaps coming off injury, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Mauigoa reverted to backup status, only playing in 32% of the defensive snaps.
You could save some money, acquire some draft capital, and get a serious look at Mauigoa as a full-time starter for the rest of the season in evaluation mode.
The Potential Cons of Trading Williams
Jamien Sherwood hasn’t played well in 2025. The Jets are trying to win games in head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season. Williams getting flipped for future draft capital will hurt those endeavors.
It’s fair to wonder what impact Quincy’s future could have on Quinnen Williams. The two brothers have played together on the Jets since 2021. If Quincy gets discarded, could that upset the apple cart with Quinnen? Only the Jets know the true answer to that question.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jets Predicted to Trade All-Pro Starter to NFC for Draft Pick appeared first on Heavy Sports.