NY Jets DT Quinnen Williams contract demands reportedly revealed

NY Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams made some headlines on Monday when he removed any mention of his current employer from his Twitter bio. Eagle-eyed fans also noted that he unfollowed the Jets on Instagram.

This was just the latest development in what have become increasingly contentious extension talks between Williams and the Jets. The All-Pro defensive tackle chose not to attend the voluntary portion of the Jets' offseason as he awaits a new contract.

By all accounts, it doesn't seem as though the two sides are close to reaching an agreement, despite general manager Joe Douglas' "optimistic" claims. Why is that? What are the Jets offering, and more importantly, what is Williams asking for?

While we may not have an answer to the first question, Fox Sports' Henry McKenna reported on Monday that Williams is apparently seeking a deal that would pay him between $25-30 million per year, making him the NFL's second-highest-paid defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald.

What are the NY Jets willing to pay Quinnen Williams?

Let's put some context into those numbers. Donald is currently making $31.67 million per year on a historic three-year, $95 million contract he signed last summer. No one is touching that deal — not even Williams.

The real defensive tackle market was set this offseason, with the likes of Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne, and Javon Hargrave all receiving new big-money contracts. Williams is going to be in that tier, although he's looking to top all of those deals.

It's hard to say he doesn't deserve it, either.

Williams was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2022 and earned first-team All-Pro honors for his 12-sack campaign. He was also one of just four players in the entire NFL to receive a first-place vote for Defensive Player of the Year.

Williams' resume is stronger than Simmons, Lawrence, Payne, and Hargrave, and at just 25 years old, he's the type of homegrown talent you don't think twice about paying. So what's the hold-up?

Simmons is currently the second-highest-paid defensive tackle behind Donald, with an AAV of $23.5 million. Payne's $55 million in guarantees is the most of any defensive tackle in football. Williams expects to top both of those figures.

While $30 million is likely pushing it, Williams' market should probably start at $25 million per year. The Jets more than likely want Williams' numbers to be closer to Simmons than Donald.

There's also the fact that the Jets are still renegotiating Aaron Rodgers' contract as we enter the second half of May. That could be an obstacle as the team attempts to work out the figures in that deal first.

It still seems likely that the Jets and Williams will be able to find common ground, but it's clear that the star defensive tackle isn't happy with the lack of progress that's been made.

In reality, there shouldn't be any major concern with the situation right now. If training camp arrives in July and Williams still doesn't have a deal, alarms will start to go off.

For now, this is just an unnecessary headache in what has been a roller coaster of an offseason for the Jets. But it wouldn't be a Jets offseason without a contract dispute with a star player, right?