Gregg Williams is out as Jets defensive coordinator.
Per multiple reports, the New York Jets fired Williams on Monday – just one day after allowing a game-ending Hail Mary to the Las Vegas Raiders that dropped the Jets to 0-12 on the season.
Williams faced heavy criticism after the game because the Jets blitzed on the final play, leaving speedy rookie receiver Henry Ruggs III in 1-on-1 coverage with no safety help. It led many wondering if the Jets really were trying to intentionally lose the game so they do not jeopardize their chances of losing the No. 1 pick and possibly Trevor Lawrence.
Of course, it was hard to fathom that Williams would have been retained at the end of the season anyway, so there is not a whole lot of support to the theory the Jets were intentionally trying to lose on the final play of the game.
Williams, who was already a polarizing figure in the NFL for his role in the Saints’ Bountygate scandal, joined the Jets’ staff with head coach Adam Gase prior to the 2019 season.
The defense was a rare bright spot for the team last year, finishing seventh in the league in total yards allowed per game, but saw a significant drop in production this season following the loss of several key players.
The Jets defense woke up Monday having averaged 398.8 total yards allowed per game – 29th in the league – and allowed 29.4 points per game, which ranked 30th in the league.
Williams and Gase reportedly butt heads earlier this year, too, although the two denied there was any friction with one another.
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