The most realistic (and shocking) NY Jets draft trade no one is talking about

The New York Jets’ new regime has made it clear they’re open for business in the 2025 NFL Draft. With general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn leading the charge, the Jets are expected to explore every avenue, whether that means moving up, trading down, or reshaping the roster through player deals.

Most of the speculation has centered around what the Jets might do with their top draft pick at No. 7 overall, but the front office could also look to get creative with the players already on the roster.

One name that hasn’t come up much in trade chatter but probably should? Quincy Williams. The All-Pro linebacker is coming off another standout season and entering the final season of an underpaid contract.

Combine that with the fact that his position-mate, Jamien Sherwood, received a hefty extension in the offseason, and it stands to reason that Williams could be questioning his Jets future. That makes him a very feasible trade candidate as we approach the draft.

Quincy Williams is an under-the-radar NY Jets trade candidate

The Jets signed Williams to a three-year, $18 million extension in the 2023 offseason, a deal that seemed like reasonable value at the time. That contract proved to be the steal of the offseason, as Williams would break out that season, earning first-team All-Pro honors in the process.

Williams has been one of the NFL's best linebackers over the last two years and has become an integral part of the Jets' defense. Despite this, his $6 million AAV is tied for the 37th-highest at the linebacker position. He's one of the most underpaid players in the entire NFL.

It’s likely that Williams and the Jets have already discussed a possible pay raise this offseason, especially after Sherwood’s extension. The silence surrounding those talks might be an ominous sign for his future in New York.

Williams likely isn’t thrilled that, while he remains significantly underpaid for his level of play, the Jets chose to hand a lucrative extension to a teammate who plays the exact same position. That’s almost certainly a conversation his agent has had with the team this offseason.

The problem is that the Jets may not be eager to offer him a long-term extension. Williams turns 29 before the 2025 season, and recent history suggests paying aging linebackers rarely works out well in the NFL.

It's rare to see NFL teams invest heavily in multiple off-ball linebackers. Not a single team in the league currently pays two off-ball linebackers $8 million or more per year. In fact, each of the top 24 highest-paid players at the position (by average annual value) play for different teams.

The Jets would be a significant anomaly if they opted to pay Williams, who would likely be seeking a contract similar to Sherwood's. All of this makes him a very realistic trade candidate in next week's draft.

It’s possible Williams chooses to quietly play out the remainder of his contract. He’s clearly happy playing alongside his brother, Quinnen, and may not want to rock the boat.

But this is also someone who has never received a true NFL payday, and he’s not getting any younger. It would be entirely reasonable for him to seek a new contract this offseason. And if the Jets have no plans to offer one, it’s possible he’s already played his final snap in a Jets uniform.

If the Jets truly want to reshape their roster, tough decisions like this may be unavoidable. Trading Quincy Williams would be shocking to some, but it might also be the most realistic draft-day move no one is talking about.

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