Latest intel makes Jets' Quinnen Williams decision even harder ahead of trade deadline
The New York Jets have already dealt one veteran defender, and the team may not be done. According to insider Jordan Schultz, the Jets are willing to listen to offers on star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The former third overall pick is arguably the Jets' best player and is signed through the 2027 campaign, so the front office is naturally resistant to potential deals. However, Schultz notes that there’s a leaguewide need for interior defensive line help, and considering the aggressiveness of some GMs around the NFL, “the idea of a team blowing away the Jets with an offer is at least feasible.”
Quinnen Williams has been a superstar for the Jets defense
Williams truly established himself as one of the league’s best defensive tackles in 2022, when he collected 12 sacks en route to a first-team All-Pro nod. The Jets were quick to reward the player for his performance, as the DT inked a four-year, $96M extension the following offseason.
While the Jets disappointed in both 2023 and 2024, Williams was one of the team’s few bright spots. He added another 11.5 sacks to his resume between those two campaigns, with Pro Football Focus grading him as the third-best interior defender in 2023 before placing him 30th in 2024. The site is once again bullish on his talents in 2025, ranking him eighth among 128 qualifiers. In eight starts this season, the 27-year-old has collected one sack, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
Trading Quinnen Williams would be hard for the Jets
Parting with Williams would be difficult from both an emotional and logistical standpoint. He's a beloved member of the team and fan favorite. Plus, the team doesn’t have much of a backup plan for its star player. The team acquired veteran Harrison Phillips back in August, but the 29-year-old appears to be a temporary stopgap. The team is otherwise rostering Jay Tufele, Jowon Briggs and Byron Cowart, who will miss the entire 2025 campaign with an ankle injury.
We heard previously that Williams was drawing interest, with the expectation being that it would require a haul to acquire the defensive tackle. The Cowboys reportedly discussed a Micah Parsons package that involved Williams before they shipped the defensive star to Green Bay.
Aaron Judge's Heartfelt Gesture: Paying It Forward to the Diner That Helped Him Dream
In the small town of Corona, California, a gesture of generosity has not only saved a beloved local diner but also brought a tear to the eyes of its owners and customers alike. Aaron Judge, the 28-year-old outfielder for the New York Yankees, recently paid $87,000 to save Sunny’s Diner, a family-run establishment that had supported him during his high school years when he needed it most.
Sunny’s Diner, a fixture in the community for decades, had been struggling to stay afloat, burdened by debts from the financial toll of the pandemic and rising operational costs. When Judge, a MLB All-Star and 2024 MVP, learned that the diner was on the verge of closing, he knew he had to act. With no fanfare, Judge quietly wired the money to cover the diner’s debt, ensuring its survival. But his generosity didn’t stop there.
Judge wanted to give something more—a symbolic gesture that captured the essence of what Sunny’s Diner meant to him. When he visited the diner after making the payment, he presented a handmade sign, which now proudly hangs on the wall of the diner. The sign reads:
“A home for those who fueled my dreams every morning.” Maria and Tony Alvarez, the couple who owns the diner, were overwhelmed with emotion when they saw the sign, which Judge had dedicated to the place that had helped him when he was a struggling high school student.
For three years, while attending Linden High School, Judge had visited Sunny’s Diner every morning before school. Coming from a modest background, he relied on the warm hospitality and free breakfasts offered by the Alvarez family. "We saw something special in Aaron," Maria Alvarez recalls. "He was always polite, always focused. We just wanted to help him keep going." The kindness of the Alvarezes allowed Judge to focus on his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. He would have pancakes, eggs, and a side of encouragement before heading off to school, and the diners' unwavering belief in him fueled his determination on the field.
Now, a major league star, Judge’s act of kindness has come full circle. By saving the diner that helped him rise, he’s not only ensured Sunny’s Diner can continue operating, but he’s also breathed new life into the community staple. The sign, a tribute to the role the diner played in his journey, has become a local point of pride, with many patrons stopping to read it and reflect on Judge’s remarkable gesture. The sign has sparked a wave of support for Sunny’s Diner, with local businesses offering to help, and social media posts flooding platforms with the hashtag #SunnysDiner.
The community has rallied behind the diner, sharing the story of Judge’s selflessness and creating a renewed sense of pride in their local gem. The diner’s Facebook page has seen a surge in engagement, with customers posting photos of their meals and the sign, spreading the heartwarming story of how a baseball star never forgot the kindness that helped him dream.
Judge’s story is not just about a famous athlete giving back; it’s about the power of small, meaningful acts of kindness. His own journey to success has been marked by his vulnerability, including openly sharing his struggles with mental health and even a suicide attempt in 2022. He has become a beacon of hope for many, not just for his baseball talent, but for his compassion and willingness to uplift others.
The Alvarezes have expressed their gratitude, not just for the financial relief, but for the renewed sense of purpose that Judge’s gift has given them. "We always thought we were just feeding people," Maria says. "But Aaron showed us we were doing more than that. We were helping dreams come true."
As the sign at Sunny’s Diner now stands, it serves as a testament to the profound impact that generosity, both big and small, can have on the lives of others. Judge’s act of paying it forward ensures that the diner will continue to be a place of hope, encouragement, and, most importantly, a home for those who dream.
For Judge, the diner wasn’t just a place to eat—it was a lifeline, a place that believed in his potential when few others did. His return to Sunny’s, not just as a patron, but as a savior, is a full-circle moment in his journey. As customers come and go, they will always remember that this diner isn’t just a place for pancakes and coffee—it’s a place where dreams were fueled, and kindness was returned tenfold.
