Leonard set to stay a Jet
The Big Cat isn’t going anywhere.
The Daily News has learned that the Jets have no plans to trade defensive lineman Leonard Williams amid their ongoing rebuilding process. My understanding is that Gang Green wants Williams to be a part of its future and is amenable to signing him to a contract extension this year.
“It would be stupid” to trade the 24year-old Williams this offseason, according to one Jets source.
Moreover, new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is excited to maximize the former No. 6 overall pick’s skills in his aggressive 4-3 scheme, according to sources.
Speculation that the Jets could move Williams this spring, frankly, made little sense given his talent and age.
The Jets have ample cap space (about $111 million) to easily absorb Williams’ $14.2 million fifth-year option in 2019. Gang Green, however, is open to a teamfriendly extension. There have not been any substantive contract extension discussions at this point, I’m told.
The Jets also have the flexibility to apply the franchise tag on Williams in 2020 (for about $17 million) in the absence of a long-term agreement.
Williams said in November that a head coaching change could affect his choice to sign a long-term deal.
“I feel like it will impact my decision when that comes,” Williams told the News at the time. “But the fact that I don’t know if there’s going to be a coaching change or I don’t know if there’s going to be a (new) contract… I don’t know what’s in the store for the future, so I can’t (predict).”
Well, Gregg Williams has a solid plan for this talented young player.
The new Jets defensive coordinator is expected to move Leonard Williams to the three-technique (lining up on the outside shoulder of the guard) along his defensive line.
The position shift should put Williams in a prime spot to dominate one-on-one matchups with his quickness. In theory, Williams should be better positioned to make plays against the run and get home more often on pass rushes. (The next step for the Jets is to find a quality edge rusher to occupy the weakside tackle).
Williams hasn’t been a statistical giant in his first four seasons, but there’s a strong sense on One Jets Drive that Gregg Williams will be able to get the best out of him. Leonard Williams’ 17 career sacks in 64 career games don’t jump off the page, but people in the know realize that he has consistently disrupted quarterbacks through the years.
Williams, who made the Pro Bowl after his second season in 2016, has 85 career quarterback hits. Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald was the only interior defender with more combined sacks and quarterback hits than Williams (37) from 20162017.
Williams finished with five sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 42 combined tackles and tied his career-high with 11 tackles for loss last season. Jets fans have been particularly frustrated that Williams, expected to be a star coming out of USC, hasn’t necessarily lived up to their lofty expectations.
“I’m still young,” Williams said. “I know I’m going to be in the league for a lot longer. I know people have their breakout years at different times. The best thing for me to do is not compare myself to other people, but just see when it’s my time. At the same time, the NFL goes by quick so you can’t wait too long.”
Williams also made it clear at the time that he wants to be a part of a rebuilding process that ultimately takes the Jets to the Promised Land. “It would be legendary to be able to be on a team that brings the Jets back to a championship,” Williams said. “That’s the way I see it. I’ve never been that type of guy to say, ‘Oh, these people are winning. Let me go over there and win with them.’ I’d rather be on this team where we’ve been losing and turn it around. Let’s silence the doubters. Let’s turn this program around and be winners. That’s how I’ve always been.” The Jets are smart to try to cultivate his talent rather than move on from him.