[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]
The New York Jets signed a key member of their talented defense to a long-term contract extension.
According to Jets Wire, New York inked defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a massive new contract. The 25-year-old is now the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL after agreeing to a four-year, $96 million deal.
As it can go with such talent, Williams wanted to become the top dog on the paid list, and the Jets made it happen by just enough. Previously the Los Angeles Rams agreed to pay Aaron Donald $95M. Williams eclipses him by $1M.
But we’re not here to compare those two, it’s Williams and Ed Oliver from the Buffalo Bills.
In June, Oliver signed a four-year extension of his own in Buffalo. It pales in comparison to Williams. Oliver, 25, signed an extension worth $68M.
The eye-popping number is the guaranteed dollars. Oliver’s included near $45M in guaranteed money. Williams will make $66M in guarantees, close to the entire total of Oliver’s contract.
Of course, that’s for good reason.
The Bills signed Oliver more so based off his potential. Both players are young, former first-round picks, and that’s still a hefty price tag for Oliver. But if Oliver puts together a promising 2023 season in Buffalo, his contract, which makes him the 12th highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, is going to look like a steal.
Oliver has yet to surpass five sacks in a single season, but he played through injury last season and still performed well in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. He’s graded out over a mark of 65.0 in three of his four seasons in the pros.
In terms of the Jets, they are paying for both potential and production they’ve already seen.
Williams put up 2.5 sacks in a nine-game rookie season. Since then, he’s put up at least six every year including 12 last year.
Regardless, there are elements of risk in both deals. But the Williams extension undoubtedly makes Oliver’s look a lot better from a team perspective.
[lawrence-related id=119396,119391,119386]