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The New York Jets were the most active team at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, parting ways with several veterans on the defensive side of the ball. On Wednesday, the team further shook things up on defense in a shocking decision on starting linebacker Quincy Williams. New York invested in their future at the deadline, trading both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in a pair of trades with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. In return, the Jets received three first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a pair of young players in Adonai Mitchell and Mazi Smith. Sitting at 1-7 on the year, these trade offers were seemingly too good for New York to refuse as they head towards a full-on rebuild moving forward. As they head into that rebuild, it seems as if the Jets are moving away from another aging player on defense. TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 21: Quincy Williams #56 of the New York Jets stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) More news: Report: Jaguars Made ‘Strong Push’ for Pro Bowl Defender at Trade Deadline On Wednesday, Jets linebacker Quincy Williams, the brother of Quinnen Williams, told ESPN’s Rich Cimini that he has been informed by coaches that he has lost his starting job. “My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I’ve been underperforming since training camp,” Williams told Cimini. The Jets' defensive shakeup continues: Former All-Pro LB Quincy Williams has lost his starting job, he told ESPN."My coaches told me I was underperforming, that I've been underperforming since training camp," he told me.Williams said he's "not thrilled" with the decision, but…— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 5, 2025 More news: Breece Hall Makes Ominous Statement on Jets Future After Trade Deadline The timing of this decision is certainly interesting for the Jets. One would assume that the organization would rather try and trade Williams and get some value back for him if they were planning on benching him prior to the deadline. Especially after trading his brother just a day ago. Williams had returned in a starting role in Week 8 after a four-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Notably, in the Week 8 win, the Jets defense allowed a season-high 38 points. So maybe New York’s coaching staff wasn’t pleased with how the former All-Pro looked in his return game. Regardless of the reasoning behind this decision, the Jets are clearly fine with experimenting with their new-look defense after their trade deadline moves. It will surely be interesting to see whether Williams can get back in the good graces of the coaching staff at some point this season. If not, the Jets do have a potential out in Williams’ contract after the 2025 season. So New York could be without both Williams brothers in 2026. For more on the New York Jets and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
