Tag: gregg williams fired

New York Jets fire defensive coordinator Gregg Williams

The New York Jets have fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams

What a way to go out. Gregg Williams was fired as defensive coordinator of the New York  Jets a day after his incomprehensible call led to a stunning defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Jets were on the verge of their first win of the season Sunday at MetLife when Williams called an all-out blitz as the Raiders were down to their last gasp.

The call backfired as Derek Carr found Henry Ruggs for a TD from 46 yards with five seconds left. The loss left the Jets at 0-12.

Per the New York Post:

Williams, 62, has been the Jets defensive coordinator since last year when he joined the team along with head coach Adam Gase. The Jets rank 29th in total defense this year and 30th in scoring defense.

It would have been hard to have Williams continue as the defensive coordinator after Sunday’s call. Defensive captain Marcus Maye publicly questioned the call after the game several times during a Zoom call with reporters. Members of the organization at all levels from the players to upper management were puzzled and frustrated by Williams’ decision, one that was seen as ego-driven.

Let’s be realistic. While Williams is gone, Gase should not be far behind. His time as coach of the Jets has brought embarrassment to a franchise that has seen an astonishing amount of lows since Super Bowl III.

Gregg Williams avoids potential 0-16 déjà vu after being fired by Jets

While Gregg Williams may have been fired on Monday morning, the Jets now former defensive coordinator won’t be apart of two 0-16 teams.

The Jets relieved Gregg Williams of his duties on Monday morning — and helped him avoid potentially making history.

With 0-16 becoming more and more likely with each passing week, Williams could have become the only defensive coordinator in NFL history to be a part of not one, but two winless teams. Williams was in charge of the Browns defense when they finished 0-16 in 2017.

That won’t be the case, at least not over a full season, as Williams was shown the door following one of the more egregious play calls in recent memory. In Week 13’s 31-28 loss, Williams called an all-out blitz with 13 seconds left and the Raiders down by four.

Lamar Jackson, an undrafted free agent cornerback out of Nebraska, was left on an island with no safety help over the top. Henry Ruggs III blew right past Jackson for a game-winning, 46-yard touchdown.

Williams was ripped by Jets defensive captain Marcus Maye following Sunday’s loss. Maye criticized the play call and repeated himself over and over, saying that there needed to be a better call in that situation.

Williams went for the home run ball and it cost him his job. He gets to avoid NFL infamy, but not without taking a gamble and having it blow up in his face. He cost the Jets their best chance at their first won of the season, but New York still has a firm grasp on the No. 1 overall pick.