With training camp setting a solid deadline, the Jets managed to reach an agreement with star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. He inked a four-year extension for $96 million, including $66 million in guaranteed money.
Details of Williams’ deal reveal that he received a $24.5 million signing bonus, making his 2023 salary $1.094 million. Instead of one lump sum, he’ll get $11 million by July 31, $4.5 million by Sept. 30, and $9 million by March 31 next year.
Williams’ base salaries for the following four years will be $14.4 million, $15.65 million $20.75 million and $25.4 million. He’ll also receive various per-game roster bonuses ranging from $500,000 to $1.1 million total.
Williams has most of his money fully guaranteed until later in his contract. For example, his 2026 per-game roster bonus, up to $1 million total, is not guaranteed.
Nicole Lynn of KlutchSports, the agent who secured Jalen Hurts’ deal making him the highest-paid player in the league, also negotiated Williams’ deal.
To make the deal happen, Williams held out of the Jets’ offseason voluntary program. Had they not agreed to terms on a long-term deal, he would have received $9.594 million on the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Instead, he’ll get roughly $23.75 million per season for the next four years.
With his new deal, Williams is now the second highest-paid defensive tackle behind Rams star Aaron Donald who signed a three-year deal for $95 million last year. Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons signed his new deal for four years, $94 million in April.
Williams’ rookie contract paid him a guaranteed $32.5 million after he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Quinnen Williams lands megadeal
The former Outland Trophy winner has lived up to his billing coming out of Alabama, producing at the level you’d expect of a first-rounder.
After recording 15.5 sacks in his first three seasons, Williams recorded 12 in 2022 alone. In four seasons he has racked up 179 tackles, 27.5 sacks and 11 passes defended. Williams earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2022.
Prior to entering the NFL, Williams was a monster for the Crimson Tide from 2016-18, helping Alabama win a national title in the 2017 season as a redshirt freshman. He won the Outland Trophy and the Bill Willis Trophy in 2018, while he was also earned a first-team All-SEC selection and was a unanimous All-American.
During his time at Alabama, Williams recorded 90 tackles, 25.0 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks and one pass defended.
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