For years, New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has been one of the most dominant defensive linemen in football. On Tuesday, the team that drafted him awarded him for his production on the field with a lucrative three-year, $52.5 million contract extension with $42 million in guaranteed money.
Could this impact Leonard Williams’ contract negotiations with the Jets? In short, the answer should be no.
Williams is set to be a free agent for the first time in his young career next offseason. As a soon-to-be 25-year-old defensive lineman entering his prime, Williams is in a position to make good money on the open market even though he had a disappointing 2018 campaign.
Jordan and Williams are not exactly comparable, which makes it hard to believe that the four-time Pro Bowler’s contract would have any impact on Williams’ contract negotiations. Jordan is 30 and this is his second contract, while Williams is just getting off his rookie deal. Jordan is also a proven contributor (71.5 career sacks), while Williams is still trying to find consistency on the field. In four seasons, Williams has only recorded 17 sacks and 85 quarterback hits. Those numbers don’t exactly scream for a payday.
There’s also the Joe Douglas factor.
The Jets’ new general manager did not draft Williams and if he does not like what he sees out of the USC product this upcoming season, he’ll have no inclination to ink him to an extension. The 2019 season is a prove-it year for Williams and if he fails to impress, Douglas could use New York’s franchise tag on him and/or trade him to ensure the team gets something in return. If the Jets can’t find a trade partner, the worst case scenario becomes Williams having another year to turn it around and prove himself, which isn’t necessarily a bad situation for either side.
The hope is that Williams turns it around in 2019 and earns himself a hefty extension. Douglas values strong play in the trenches and the Jets are a much better team with Williams dominating up front. If not, Douglas shouldn’t have much of an issue moving on from a player who has failed to live up to the sky-high expectations that followed him into the NFL.
