Jets defensive coordinator pulls back the curtain on Quincy Williams' benching

Editorial Team
Jets defensive coordinator pulls back the curtain on Quincy Williams' benching image

It was revealed yesterday that the New York Jets are benching linebacker Quincy Williams.

The news came as a shock to the former All-Pro, and he said as much to the media yesterday.

"I don't know. I came in on Monday and was the 2, so I didn't really understand what was going on. I kinda had those thoughts also, but it was one of those things where I told the Jets I wanted to be a Jet for the long term..."

Steve Wilks provides details on Quincy Williams' benching

Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks addressed the media today about the Williams' benching and revealed whether the linebacker was benched as a motivational tactic.

"I don't want to use motivation. I believe in grown men conversations. You don't have different tactics to motivate guys, you just have grown men conversations," Wilks said via The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt.

"You put out there exactly what they need to do and I think he understands that. He's willing to correct some of those things. That's what I like about him as a person."

Williams is an impending free agent, and recently watched his brother, Quinnen Williams, get traded from the Jets to the Dallas Cowboys.

New York may be truly benching Williams for poor play, or maybe they're just looking to give rookie linebacker Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa increased reps in what has turned out to be a lost season.

The real head-scratcher is why the Jets wouldn't have traded the 29-year-old linebacker at the deadline if he wasn't going to play down the stretch in 2025.

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Senior Editor