The Browns are bringing in a key veteran addition to their linebacker room, as they have agreed to terms with LB Quincy Williams.
William spent the previous five seasons with the Jets, starting 73 of 78 games played. He recorded 554 tackles, 58 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and 12.5 sacks. He also added nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 27 passes defensed and one interception. He registered four consecutive 100-tackles seasons beginning in 2021, and Williams was also named a first team All-Pro for the 2023 season.
He began his NFL career in Jacksonville after the Jaguars drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Williams spent two seasons with the Jaguars, starting eight of 18 games played. He totaled 59 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
Williams joins a linebacker room anchored by Carson Schwesinger – who was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for his successful rookie season in 2025, in which he wore the green dot for the Browns and led both the team and all NFL rookies with 146 tackles.
Williams also is reunited with Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, after Rutenberg served as the assistant linebackers coach for the Jaguars in 2019 and again as the linebackers coach for the Jets from 2021-24.
The Browns agreed to terms with LB Quincy Williams, who previously spent five seasons with the Jets. Williams was first drafted by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and played his first two seasons in Jacksonville.
New York Jets' Quincy Williams, right, defends as New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill throws during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) runs onto the field during player introductions before playing against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, October 25, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) forces Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) out of bounds for an incomplete pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) is tackled by New York Jets outside linebacker Quincy Williams (56) during the second half of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
This is a 2019 photo of Quincy Williams of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. This image reflects the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster as of Thursday, May 9, 2019 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
New York Jets outside linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts after making a sack during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts after causing a fumble during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets outside linebacker Quincy Williams (56) celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) greets fans before an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Jets outside linebacker Quincy Williams (56) walks off the field after an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams walks during drills at the NFL football team's practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets outside linebacker Quincy Williams (56) is introduced as he takes the field to face the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) and linebacker Quincy Williams (56) walk off the field after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darwin Thompson (34) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) and linebacker Quincy Williams (56) greet one another prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) during introductions of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
This is a 2025 photo of Quincy Williams of the New York Jets NFL football team. This image reflects the New York Jets active roster as of Monday, June 9, 2025, when this image was taken in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams (56) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) reacts after a defensive play against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) greets fans before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Oct. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, NJ. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44), linebacker Quincy Williams (56) and center Tyler Shatley (69) run onto the field during team introductions before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) recovers the fumble of Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday Oct. 15, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in East Rutherford NJ. TheJets defeated the Eagles 20-14. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams (56) is seen during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) drops in coverage during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams arrives at an NFL football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) defends during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) heads into the locker room after a win against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Meagan Leverone)
New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) looks on from the sideline before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
