FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - To think, there once was a time when the Jets released Isaiah Williams for a costly mistake in September of last year.
After a mishandled punt in a loss to the Dolphins, Gang Green cut ties with the former Bengals wide receiver/returner, only to bring him back shortly after . Clearly, the team saw something in Williams that fans weren't willing to see.
Now the Jets do, though. And it's not just Williams' return game that has turned New York's fans around on him.
Throughout camp, last season's top return specialist , according to Pro Football Focus, has been a central cog in New York's passing offense. While he was once considered just a special teams ace, Williams has grown into a player who will be featured prominently in Gang Green's offensive philosophy.
More than that, though, he's become something no one would have expected.
When you ask most Jets fans about the heartbeat of the team, obvious names like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall or even Armand Membou come to mind. They are all top players on the offense with high expectations .
But if you ask certain coaches on the roster, the answer isn't any of those stars.
It's Williams.
"(Isaiah is) a dog," Jets WRs coach Shawn Jefferson said on Tuesday. "If I was in a burning building, boop boop boop boop (dialing a phone), 'I need you to come get me.' He's on the way. Just to put it bluntly like that. He's the heartbeat on our offense."
Isaiah Williams received rave reviews from WRs coach Shawn Jefferson, which bodes well for his outlook heading into the 2026 NFL season. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Jefferson saying this should not be ignored. It highlights the improvement Williams has shown all throughout camp and during the offseason. His production also continued in Tuesday's joint practice against the Buccaneers.
Despite struggles from the offense, Williams remained a consistent performer during practice. He made multiple catches within traffic and even laid out a pancake block on a Buccaneer defender on a running play. The very next step, Williams caught a pass and began talking smack to the opposition.
A high profile play from a performer who continues to stand out. And demand more playing time.
The Jets-including head coach Aaron Glenn-appear more willing than ever to oblige.
Players like that demand respect; they demand reps. It's no surprise to anybody- coaches, players-that (Isaiah) operates the way he operates. I think what makes him such a special player, because I guess from the outside in, everybody looks at him as a special teams player. But man, there's room for him in our offense.
To think, at this time last year, Williams was a borderline rosterable player for Cincinnati. In September, he was kicked to the curb by the Jets.
But that's the beauty of the NFL. The strongest wills tend to win out.
And for Williams, his wins keep getting added this camp.
As Williams continues to prove his worth, it is no longer a question of whether or not he'll make the roster. Instead, the bigger question is how prominent a role he will have on the offense throughout the regular season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/jets/onsi as Offensive Heartbeat: How Isaiah Williams Is Changing the Jets' Attack .
