Sources - Jets, star DT qWilliams reach $96M deal - ESPN

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have locked up All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with a four-year, $96 million contract extension, that includes $66 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.

It's the largest guarantee in franchise history, surpassing linebacker C.J. Mosley's $51 million as a free agent in 2019.

Williams, 25, who had one year remaining on his rookie contract, is now signed through the 2027 season.

The extension makes Williams the NFL's second-highest paid defensive tackle, based on average annual value. At $24 million per season, he surpasses the Tennessee Titans' Jeffery Simmons ($23.5 million) for the No. 2 spot, behind Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald ($31.7 million).

The Jets now have two of the highest-paid players at their respective positions in Williams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers ($50.3 million average), whom they acquired in an April trade with the Green Bay Packers.

Williams skipped the Jets' voluntary workouts as the two sides negotiated, more than once expressing his frustration on social media as other top defensive tackles landed huge extensions. He deleted the Jets from his Twitter bio, changing it to, «Defensive tackle for ....» He restored the Jets to his bio on Thursday shortly before news of his extension.

This offseason, Simmons, Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants) and Daron Payne (Washington Commanders) scored new deals, ranging from $22.5 million to $23.5 million per year. Simmons, Lawrence and Williams were first-round picks in 2019.

The Jets re-signed Williams' brother, linebacker Quincy Williams, earlier this offseason to a three-year, $18 million contract.

Publicly, Jets officials remained optimistic throughout the process, vowing to get