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The Browns made a big splash on Monday night on the first day of the 2026 NFL Free Agency period by signing former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams.
Williams was drafted in 2019 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and never caught on as a Jaguar. He was moved to New York to play under Robert Saleh, along with Mike Rutenberg, as a Jet. In New York, Williams bloomed and became unequivocally one of the best off-ball linebackers in the entire NFL.
He had four straight seasons in New York with over 100 tackles, and in his All-Pro year in 2023, he tallied 139 stops. He was vocal about wanting to return to play for Rutenberg. Andrew Berry and the Browns were able to make it happen.
Here are five things to know about the new Cleveland linebacker.
Williams has been Mr. Consistency since joining the New York Jets in 2021. The former third-round pick just didn't catch on in Jacksonville, but was totally unlocked in New York. In his five seasons as a Jet, he never averaged less than 6.3 tackles per game. That low watermark came just this past year, when Williams played in only 13 games.
Throughout five seasons, Williams played in 78 games and registered 554 tackles, good for 7.1 stops per game. Pretty good for a guy playing next to Carson Schwesinger.
Quincy Williams is the younger brother of former Jet and current Dallas Cowboy Quinnen Williams. Together on the Jets, they each found another level in their games. When Quinnen was traded to the Cowboys, it marked the first major rift in Quincy's relationship with the Jets, which culminated in the signing of Cleveland.
Quincy Williams played a role in two of the most memorable games inside Huntington Bank Field. In 2022, Williams was the starting linebacker in the Joe Flacco improbably comeback. The Browns led 30-17 with just over a minute and a half remaining, in which the proceeded to lose.
The other time that he played inside Huntington Bank Field was on December 28, 2023, on a Thursday night that will live forever in Cleveland. The Browns took down the Jets to clinch a playoff birth.
He had 12 tackles combined in those games.
Williams was rated as the No. 10 off-ball linebacker according to Matt Bowen's Top-100 list. He replaces Devin Bush, who was ranked No. 7 on that list. Williams is similar to Bush in size and rangy speed.
To be a great linebacker, you need to be incredibly physical, and Williams is absolutely that. When he makes the right play and gets to the football, he does so with bad intentions. Trust me, you don't want to be on the other side of this.
Keep following along with all things Browns Free Agency here on Browns Wire.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: 5 things to know about new LB Quincy Williams
Continue reading...
Williams was drafted in 2019 by the Jacksonville Jaguars and never caught on as a Jaguar. He was moved to New York to play under Robert Saleh, along with Mike Rutenberg, as a Jet. In New York, Williams bloomed and became unequivocally one of the best off-ball linebackers in the entire NFL.
He had four straight seasons in New York with over 100 tackles, and in his All-Pro year in 2023, he tallied 139 stops. He was vocal about wanting to return to play for Rutenberg. Andrew Berry and the Browns were able to make it happen.
Here are five things to know about the new Cleveland linebacker.
1. Mr. Consistency
Williams has been Mr. Consistency since joining the New York Jets in 2021. The former third-round pick just didn't catch on in Jacksonville, but was totally unlocked in New York. In his five seasons as a Jet, he never averaged less than 6.3 tackles per game. That low watermark came just this past year, when Williams played in only 13 games.
Throughout five seasons, Williams played in 78 games and registered 554 tackles, good for 7.1 stops per game. Pretty good for a guy playing next to Carson Schwesinger.
2. Family First
Quincy Williams is the younger brother of former Jet and current Dallas Cowboy Quinnen Williams. Together on the Jets, they each found another level in their games. When Quinnen was traded to the Cowboys, it marked the first major rift in Quincy's relationship with the Jets, which culminated in the signing of Cleveland.
3. Instant Classics on the way for the Browns
Quincy Williams played a role in two of the most memorable games inside Huntington Bank Field. In 2022, Williams was the starting linebacker in the Joe Flacco improbably comeback. The Browns led 30-17 with just over a minute and a half remaining, in which the proceeded to lose.
The other time that he played inside Huntington Bank Field was on December 28, 2023, on a Thursday night that will live forever in Cleveland. The Browns took down the Jets to clinch a playoff birth.
He had 12 tackles combined in those games.
4. Top-10
Williams was rated as the No. 10 off-ball linebacker according to Matt Bowen's Top-100 list. He replaces Devin Bush, who was ranked No. 7 on that list. Williams is similar to Bush in size and rangy speed.
5. Bad Intentions at the Ball
To be a great linebacker, you need to be incredibly physical, and Williams is absolutely that. When he makes the right play and gets to the football, he does so with bad intentions. Trust me, you don't want to be on the other side of this.
Keep following along with all things Browns Free Agency here on Browns Wire.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: 5 things to know about new LB Quincy Williams
Continue reading...
