The Jets' defensive shakeup continued after the trade deadline with the apparent benching of Quincy Williams.
Williams spoke with the media after Wednesday's practice and was asked about the trades of his brother Quinnen and Sauce Gardner when he dropped the news of his demotion.
"I ain't even really had time to think about it for real. I've been messing with my own issues right now, just getting back on the field, getting my starting spot back," Williams said. "So that's really what I've been doing, so I ain't really had time to take it all in yet though, but I talked to [Quinnen] earlier this morning."
Williams, 29, is in his fifth season with the Jets and is only two years removed from an All-Pro selection. That season, Williams made 139 tackles (95 solo), 15 for a loss and two sacks. He also had an interception and forced two fumbles in 17 games (16 starts). The linebacker had a down season a year ago, amassing 116 tackles (74 tackles) with two sacks and 14 tackles for loss.
But in his first season under new head coach Aaron Glenn, Williams has been injured, being placed on IR after Week 3, before returning last week against the Bengals. In that game, Williams made seven tackles (three solo) with two passes defended in the Jets' first win of the season.
Williams was asked about whether he thought he was being traded at the deadline when he alluded to his benching again.
"I don't know. I came in on Monday and was the two, so I didn't really understand what was going on," Williams said. "I kinda had those thoughts also, but it was one of those things where I told the Jets I wanted to be a Jet for the long term."
He was asked if he still feels like he wants to be with the Jets long term, and after a pause, Williams answered, "I want to play football with you, I ain't gonna to lie to you. I'm in the position right now, I want to play football."
After speaking with the media, Williams told ESPN's Rich Cimini that he indeed lost his starting job and is "not thrilled" by the move but hopes to win his job back.
"My coaches told me I was underperforming," Williams told Cimini. "That I've been underperforming since training camp."Williams is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.