If Leonard Williams seems concerned about his future with the Jets, he certainly isn’t showing it.
The fifth-year defensive lineman told reporters after Sunday’s win that he wasn’t aware of any trade speculations surrounding him and that any such rumors didn’t make him feel uneasy.
“You see the best players in the league get traded,” he said. “It’s not like a personal thing. It’s just the way the business is.”
Reports surfaced this week that the Jets would be active at the trade deadline on Oct. 29 – as sellers. One such chip was Williams, who the Jets drafted sixth overall in 2015. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that multiple teams had inquired about Williams but that the Jets weren’t willing to trade their young lineman.
Williams is in the final year of his rookie contract after the Jets picked up his fully-guaranteed $14.2 million, but has yet to record a sack in 2019. Despite his lack of production over the past few seasons, Williams could still garner a significant return given his age (25).
A couple of solid defensive ends have been traded over the past years for very different prices. Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick in 2014, was traded for a third-round pick, while Frank Clark, who was picked 57 picks after Williams in 2015, was traded for a first- and second-round pick. Robert Quinn was traded in March for a sixth-round pick.
If the Jets ultimately decide to move on from Williams, it will be Joe Douglas’ biggest move thus far. Williams was the first pick by former general manager Mike Maccagnan, and Williams has seen a dip in production every year since he made the Pro Bowl in 2016.
