Quincy Williams demoted amid Jets' defensive shakeup - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets' defensive shakeup continues.

In addition to trading cornerstone players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, the Jets have demoted former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams.

«My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I've been underperforming since training camp,» Williams told ESPN on Wednesday after practice.

Williams, who said he was informed on Monday by the coaches, described himself as «a non-starting Jet.» He expects to be active Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but he's not sure about his role.

«I have no clue,» he said.

This has been a week of upheaval for the Jets (1-7), who returned to work Wednesday after the blockbuster deals at the trading deadline — Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts; Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.

In a span of 24 hours, Quincy Williams lost his starting job and lost his younger brother to another team. Quincy, too, was rumored to be on the trading block. There were rumblings about him being part of a package deal with his brother, but the Cowboys addressed their linebacker need by trading for Logan Wilson, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rookie Kiko Mauigoa is the top candidate to replace Williams in the lineup.

Williams, 29, is in the final year of his contract. He has started 65 games for the Jets, dating to 2021. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, parlaying that success into a three-year, $18 million contract.

In four games this season, he has 22 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Williams, who missed four games with a shoulder injury, was active in the last game, with two pass breakups and one tackle for loss in the Week 8 win over the Bengals.

«I'm not thrilled about it, but it's one of those things where I'm not mad about it