Report: Jets and Star DT closer to an extension

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and the Jets could agree on a contract extension soon.

Brian Costello and Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post reported both parties "aren't that far apart" and hope they can agree to a deal before mandatory mini-camp in mid-June. Jets head coach Robert Saleh also sounded confident about extending Williams. "I'm not worried at all. That thing will get done, and he'll be here," he recently said, per Costello and Dunleavy.
 
Both sides appeared embroiled when Williams erased the Jets from his Twitter bio, so their pivot toward a compromise is an encouraging sign. Last season, Williams was paramount for a Jets defense that finished fourth in points and fifth in yards allowed. He led the team in sacks with 12 in 16 games and earned a first-team All-Pro nod.
 
One year remains on his contract, and Williams wants a deal that makes him one of the league's highest-paid DTs. Rich Cimni of ESPN reported he seeks a deal worth at least $23.5M annually.
 
The salary would be comparable to Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons ($23.5M APY), the second-highest-paid DT behind Los Angeles' Aaron Donald ($31.7M APY), per OverTheCap.  The Jets are tight on cap space with $6.3M via OTC. Yet they should still try to pay him since he's integral to their defensive success.
 
Also, Cimini reported that quarterback Aaron Rodgers temporarily restructured his contract — lowering his salary to $1.2M — to give New York more financial flexibility. If New York re-signs the 25-year-old, it will fulfill its final offseason priority and could help it earn its first playoff berth in 12 years.