Browns’ Quincy Williams Sends Ultimate Warning to Jets Ahead of Sunday’s Game

Quincy Williams played five seasons with the New York Jets before signing with the Browns in 2026.

Browns’ Quincy Williams Sends Ultimate Warning to Jets Ahead of Sunday’s Game

#56 Quincy Williams (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Quincy Williams is promising a rough reunion with the New York Jets. The veteran linebacker spent five seasons with the Gang Green before moving to Cleveland.

The 3-1 Browns will play the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 11. Williams is looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground. Before the trip, the 30-year-old fired a warning shot at the AFC East franchise.

Going back to Gotham City. I’m the Joker, so it’s kind of like my home. I know y’all are going to have a nightmare playing against me. So, the nightmare starts on Sunday.

Quincy Williams said via Cleveland media’s Mary Kay Cabot

Williams played some of the best football of his career as a Jets player. He recorded four straight 100-tackle seasons. In 2023, he had 139 tackles, 15 TFLs, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and one interception. He earned an All-Pro selection as well during his time with the Jets.

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Browns are leaning on Quincy Williams to help them overcome the challenge posed by the Jets

Williams played five seasons in the Big Apple. In 78 appearances, he racked up 554 tackles, 58 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks. In his final season and Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach, Williams saw a major decline in his production.

Browns' Quincy Williams Sends Ultimate Warning to Jets Ahead of Sunday's Game
Quincy Williams (Image via Sports Illustrated)

The decline started after he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 3. Rehab took about a month, but he just couldn’t perform at the same level as before the injury.

The Jets benched Williams in November. He finished the 2025 season with 83 tackles, 8 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and 7 passes defensed. The Jets parted ways with him in the offseason.

In March of 2026, the Browns signed Quincy Williams on a two-year, $17 million deal. The former Murray State star has led from the front in the post-Myles Garrett era. In four games, he has 23 tackles, 2 TFLs, and one pass defensed, receiving a 62.2 PFF grade.

Some of the credit goes to Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who has known Williams since his spell with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rutenberg was the assistant linebackers coach for two years (2018-2019). The Jets brought him in as the linebackers coach in 2021, the same year they claimed Williams off waivers.

That’s my dog. He’s like my brother… The biggest thing, what I do off the field affects what I do on the field. So, that’s what he wanted to tackle both things as far as what I do on the field so I can show up as myself.

Williams said in March via Kelsey Russo (H/T Browns official transcript)

The Browns defense has once again been the talk of the NFL. Despite losing Garrett in the summer and Jim Schwartz declining to remain as the DC, the Browns defense has shown up this season.

According to TeamRankings, the Browns are fifth in the league for yards per play allowed (4.8), third in sack percentage (9.81%), and fourth in total yards per game (283.6).

Williams may be the driving force of the D-line, but other key names are there as well. Notably, defensive tackle Mason Graham has racked up 9 total QB pressures, one hit, 4 hurries, and 4 sacks.

Moreover, PFF selected Denzel Ward as the NFL’s best DB through four games. PFF gave Ward an 89.5 grade. He has tallied 17 tackles, two forced fumbles, one pass defensed and one interception.

The Browns lead the series 16-15 (including playoffs) against the Jets. However, the Jets emerged victorious when these two teams met last year. Dillon Gabriel’s two touchdowns weren’t enough for the Jets to avoid a 27-20 defeat.

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