New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has removed all mentions of the team from his official social media bio. Williams and the Jets are entrenched in a contract-related standoff and a resolution doesn’t appear close.

Williams is currently scheduled to enter the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Williams will earn a fully-guaranteed $9.5 million in 2023, per Spotrac. Williams is being severely underpaid and expects a sizable raise in pay.

The market for elite defensive tackles has been reset this summer. The Tennessee Titans signed Jeffery Simmons to a four-year extension worth $94 million. The New York Giants signed Dexter Lawrence to a similar four-year deal worth $87.5 million with $60 million in guarantees. Williams retweeted news of Lawrence’s well-paid extension.

Williams recorded career highs in sacks (12.0), pressures (52), quarterback hits (28), and tackles for loss (12) this past season. He matched his previous career-highs in total tackles (55) and forced fumbles (2). If negotiations continue going south, he could request a trade and we’ve identified three potential landing spots for Quinnen Williams.

CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears recorded a league-low 20.0 sacks throughout the 2022 campaign. A lack of pressure from the interior was a major issue. Despite those weaknesses, general manager Ryan Poles didn’t acquire any high-end interior defensive linemen this summer.

The Bears drafted Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens, but they don’t have enough invested in either player to reject an opportunity to pursue a deal for a difference-maker like Williams. The Bears still possess a league-leading $35.6 million in cap space, per Spotrac. They’re scheduled to have $92.9 million in financial flexibility next offseason. The Bears have the need and resources necessary to make a run at acquiring Williams.

DETROIT LIONS

The Lions are still searching for appropriate running mates for Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson exploded for 9.5 sacks and three interceptions as a first-year standout performer. A more dominant presence on the interior would help free up Hutchinson from the attention he’s about to receive from opposing offensive linemen as a sophomore.

The Lions allowed a 32nd-ranked 392.4 yards of offense per contest in 2022. General manager Brad Holmes has revamped a large portion of his defense this offseason following last year’s lackluster results. An interior defensive lineman that defeats would-be blockers one-versus-one with consistency is still required to help elevate Dan Campbell’s defense. Williams could be the missing piece for the playoff-hopeful Lions.

HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans have an exciting new regime that’s being spearheaded by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ryans enjoyed an overwhelming amount of success as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. Ryans would understand how to maximize Williams’ skill set.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio is still equipped with a 2024 first-round selection despite trading one away in exchange to move up for Will Anderson Jr. Next year’s first-rounder, which is owed to Houston by Cleveland via the Deshaun Watson deal, may be enough to tempt the Jets into dealing Williams. Williams would be a perfect fit in Ryans’ defense.