Quinnen Williams Receives Accolades After Impressive Season with the Jets
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has had an outstanding season, resulting in numerous awards and recognition. Williams, who was drafted by the Jets in the first round, third overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft, has consistently performed at a high level since joining the team.
During his first three seasons, Williams showcased his talent and quickly established himself as a key player in the Jets’ defensive line rotation. His progression was evident as his sack numbers increased from 2.5 as a rookie to seven in his second season, followed by six sacks in 2021, his first year under head coach Robert Saleh, coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and line coach Aaron Whitecotton.
However, it was last season that Williams truly emerged as a dominant force. He recorded a career-high 12 sacks, leading the Jets in this category. This marked the most sacks by a Jet at any position since 2015 and the third-most among interior defensive linemen since at least 2016. Williams also excelled in pressuring the quarterback, with a career-high 28 quarterback hits, which tied for the fourth-most in the league. Additionally, he contributed four pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Williams’ performance during the Next Gen Stats era is equally impressive. He ranks among the top players in several categories, including 13th in stop percentage, seventh in stuff rate, 16th in pressure percentage, and fourth in sack rate among NFL interior linemen. Impressively, he is the only player among 169 defensive linemen with 1,000 snaps since 2016 to rank in the top 20 in all four categories.
Head coach Robert Saleh commended Williams for his exceptional work ethic and dedication to the game. “When you have guys like Quinnen, you’re happy for him because of all the work he puts in and how much he cares about this game,” Saleh said. “He’s a dominant force inside. When he’s playing at his best, he makes it easy for everybody to do their jobs. But not just that, he’s the ultimate team guy and is very coachable. I’m happy for him and his family; he’s deserving of everything.”
Williams’ remarkable season did not go unnoticed, as he received numerous accolades. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers. His teammates also voted him as the winner of the Curtis Martin Team MVP Award. In addition to these honors, Williams was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week and the AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October.
Expressing his gratitude, Williams thanked God, his wife Maranda, his agent Nicole Lynn, and Jets GM Joe Douglas and Chairman Woody Johnson for their support. “First and foremost, I want to thank God for making all of this possible,” Williams said. “I also want to thank my beautiful wife, Maranda, for being my backbone throughout my journey. In addition, I want to express my gratitude to my agent, Nicole Lynn, for working tirelessly alongside Jets GM Joe Douglas, and Chairman Woody Johnson.”
Quinnen Williams’ exceptional performance and recognition during the past season highlight his status as one of the league’s top interior defensive linemen. With his talent and dedication, Williams continues to make a significant impact on the New York Jets’ defense, and his future in the NFL looks incredibly promising.