Quincy Williams

Quincy Williams Bio

Quincy Williams is an American professional football linebacker who plays in the National Football League. Born on August 28, 1996, in Birmingham, Alabama, he developed into one of the league’s most energetic defensive players after a college career at Murray State. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Williams later became a cornerstone of the New York Jets defense and earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2023. He is the older brother of fellow defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, and together the siblings form one of the more recognizable family duos in the NFL.

Listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 230 pounds, Williams has built his reputation on speed, tackling, and playmaking from the linebacker position. He now plays for the Cleveland Browns, continuing a career that has spanned multiple franchises and produced steady production against both the run and the pass.

Early Life and Background

Quincy Williams grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, the same hometown that shaped his younger brother Quinnen. The city has produced a long list of football talent, and Williams was exposed to the sport from a young age through family, neighborhood, and youth programs. He attended Wenonah High School in Birmingham, where he played football and began attracting attention from college programs for his athleticism and aggressive playing style.

Coming out of high school, Williams was regarded as a versatile defender who could play in space and deliver strong tackles against the run. His development in Birmingham set the foundation for the next step in his football journey at the collegiate level. Family support played a key role in his early focus on the game, and that grounding remained important as he transitioned into college football.

Path to American Football

Quincy Williams committed to Murray State University, joining the Racers and beginning a college career that spanned the 2014 through 2018 seasons. He redshirted his freshman year in 2014, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the speed and physical demands of college football. As he progressed through the program, he took on multiple positions and earned an increasing role on defense.

By his senior year at Murray State, Williams had developed into one of the team’s most productive defenders, finishing that season with 78 tackles and two interceptions, including a pick six. His versatility, tackling production, and coverage ability helped him earn an invitation to the NFL level, where he was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 98th overall pick.

Quincy Williams Career

Early Career (2019–2020): Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Quincy Williams in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 98th overall pick, a selection the team had previously acquired in a trade that sent Dante Fowler to the Los Angeles Rams. As a rookie, Williams was named a starting outside linebacker to open the season and quickly earned a regular role in the defensive rotation. He appeared in 11 games with eight starts before a late-season injury placed him on injured reserve on December 11, 2019, finishing his rookie campaign with 48 tackles.

The following season was disrupted by injury, as Williams was placed on injured reserve on September 8, 2020. He was designated to return on September 30, returned to practice, and was activated on October 10, 2020. On August 31, 2021, he was waived by the Jaguars as part of final roster cuts, closing his Jacksonville chapter after two seasons.

New York Jets Era (2021–2025)

On September 1, 2021, the New York Jets claimed Quincy Williams off waivers, providing him a fresh start and an immediate opportunity in the defensive lineup. He became a starting linebacker and gradually developed into one of the most active defenders on the roster, pairing with the defense’s front to produce tackles, pressures, and plays in coverage. His energetic playing style and sideline-to-sideline range quickly made him a fan favorite in New York.

On March 15, 2023, Williams signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Jets, reflecting his growing role on the defense. In October 2023, he was named American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Month after a standout stretch of games. That same year, he earned First-team All-Pro honors, capping a breakout season that established him among the league’s top linebackers.

Williams entered the 2025 season as one of the Jets’ starting linebackers before a shoulder injury in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent him to injured reserve on September 23, 2025. He was activated on October 25, ahead of the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, returning to the lineup later in the season.

Cleveland Browns Era (2026–Present)

On March 11, 2026, Quincy Williams signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, opening a new chapter in his career. The move brought him to a defense looking to add veteran playmaking and tackling production from the linebacker position. He joined the Browns carrying career totals of 613 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 28 pass deflections, and 1 interception.

Williams arrived in Cleveland as an established veteran with All-Pro credentials and a reputation for high-energy play. His combination of experience, durability, and leadership was expected to strengthen the Browns’ linebacker group and provide a steady presence against both the run and the pass.

Driving Style and Strengths

Williams is recognized for his sideline-to-sideline speed, aggressive tackling, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. He pairs strong instincts with a motor that allows him to chase down plays away from the ball, and his coverage skills have continued to develop through his time in the NFL. Together, those traits have helped him deliver consistent production against the run and add value as a blitzer and in zone coverage.

Notable Events and Milestones

Key milestones in Quincy Williams’s career include his third-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, his 2023 First-team All-Pro selection, and his American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Month award in October 2023. Signing a three-year, $18 million extension with the New York Jets in March 2023 marked a financial and symbolic high point of his Jets tenure, before his 2026 signing with the Cleveland Browns opened his next chapter.

Quincy Williams Career Wins

Quincy Williams has built a productive NFL résumé across multiple franchises, with his most decorated stretch coming as a member of the New York Jets. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 613 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 28 pass deflections, and 1 interception, along with a First-team All-Pro selection in 2023 and an American Football Conference Defensive Player of the Month honor in October 2023.

Career Highlights

Williams’s most notable achievements have come during his time with the New York Jets, where he developed from a waiver pickup in 2021 into one of the league’s most active linebackers. His 2023 season was the high point, producing All-Pro honors and conference recognition, while his career totals reflect his consistency as a tackler and playmaker.

Other Performances

At Murray State, Williams posted 78 tackles and two interceptions in his senior season, including a pick six, showing the playmaking ability that carried into the NFL. His early work with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including 48 tackles as a rookie in 2019, helped establish the foundation for the production that followed.

Quincy Williams Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Quincy Williams comes from a football-focused family in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the older brother of Quinnen Williams, a prominent defensive lineman in the NFL, and the two have spoken about the importance of family support in their careers. Their shared background in Birmingham shaped their early development and continues to influence their approach to the game.

Personal Life

Williams maintains an active presence off the field, with public profiles on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @quincywilliams_. He is widely recognized for his energetic personality and strong connection with teammates and fans, and he continues to build his career while representing his family and hometown of Birmingham.

2025 Season Performance

Quincy Williams opened the 2025 season as one of the New York Jets’ starting linebackers, continuing the role that helped him earn All-Pro recognition in 2023. His season was interrupted in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when a shoulder injury sent him to injured reserve on September 23, 2025. He was activated on October 25, ahead of the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, allowing him to return to the lineup later in the year.

Despite the missed time, Williams remained a key contributor for the Jets’ defense, providing tackling, pass rush support, and veteran leadership at the linebacker position. His production and presence helped stabilize the unit as the season progressed, and his return from injury was an important boost for the team’s defensive outlook.

Looking ahead, Williams’s performance in 2025 reinforced his standing as one of the league’s active linebackers, paving the way for his next move in free agency and his eventual signing with the Cleveland Browns in March 2026.