After losing Devin Bush to the Chicago Bears earlier in the day, the Cleveland Browns wasted little time in finding his replacement, signing former Jets linebacker Quincy Williams to a two-year deal. Williams is coming off a down year with the Jets, as he didn't fit in well with the new scheme Aaron Glenn brought in after replacing Robert Saleh as the Jets' head coach.
However, two years ago, in 2023, under Saleh, Williams was an All-Pro linebacker, and his linebacker coach was new Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, so a return to a similar system will likely help Williams bounce back after a down year.
What Williams brings to the Browns
Williams is an enforcer type who loves to hit and play physical football. He is looking to make big splash plays and is an excellent blitzer, notching 3.5 sacks this past season. Since 2023 , he has had 182 stop tackles according to PFF. He has the talent and production to make a major impact on the Browns' defense.
Don't discount him having familiarity with Rutenberg; he can help get his teammates up to speed on the type of defense the team will pivot to in 2026. Though losing Devin Bush is tough , this is a very good signing for the Browns, especially if he returns to form after a down year.
Signing Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: Grading the addition of LB Quincy Williams

