Jets' Williams lauds Aaron Donald, wants to be 'Swiss Army knife' in 2024
Quinnen Williams already has an All-Pro berth and a pair of Pro Bowl nods on his resume, but the New York Jets defensive lineman expects to take his game to an even higher level in 2024.
"My main area of focus has just been getting a bigger bag when it comes down to pass-rushing," Williams said, according to team reporter Caroline Hendershot. "I feel like I do some things good in pass rush but just getting a bigger bag and more tools that I can use on Sundays. That was really my main goal. I've been working on right-side pass-rushing and left-side pass-rushing so that I can be like a Swiss Army knife."
The third overall pick in 2019, Williams has established himself as one of the NFL's best interior linemen and a premier pass-rusher at his position. His 12 sacks in 2022 marked the first time he topped the double-digit sack mark. However, Williams finished 2023 with 5.5 sacks, his lowest total since his rookie campaign.
The 26-year-old - who signed a four-year, $96-million extension in 2023 - set a career high and ranked third among defensive tackles with 70 pressures last season. That put him behind only Aaron Donald and Chris Jones, according to PFF.
Donald was football's best interior defensive lineman over the last decade, but the three-time Defensive Player of the Year announced his retirement this offseason. Williams is grateful for what Donald did to the defensive tackle position in the NFL.
"I was very happy for him, he did it his way," Williams said of Donald. "On the field and off the field he was a great person, a great leader and a phenomenal person to watch when it comes down to learning the tools. He just set the example for every single defensive tackle when it comes down to the blueprint of how to be a great player. Especially in that position, how to change games and how to affect games in that position."
Williams is a cornerstone of a strong Jets defense that ranked third in yards allowed last year.
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