Defensive end Leonard Williams has yet to sign a long-term extension with the Jets, but he believes the team's decision on whether to keep head coach Todd Bowles or not will influence him one way or another.
"I feel like it will impact my decision when that comes," Williams told the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta. "But the fact that I don't know if there's going to be a coaching change or I don't know if there's going to be a (new) contract ... I don't know what's in the store for the future, so I can't (predict)."
Williams, whose fifth-year extension from his rookie deal was picked up, will earn $14.2 million next season, however beyond that, he doesn't know what the future holds.
Bowles has been Williams' only head coach since the Jets drafted him sixth overall in 2015. While Williams said he enjoys playing for Bowles, he didn't say if Bowles goes, he goes.
"If there's a coaching change, that's going to be basically playing for a whole new team," Williams said. "If I'm going to be playing for a new team here anyway, then it would be the same as playing for a new team somewhere else."
Williams, 24, has played in all 58 games since becoming a Jet. Though he's the only one remaining from a defensive line that originally featured the likes of Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison, he has been one of the strongest Jets defenders over the past few years.
Statistically, Williams has recorded 15 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in his career. This season, however, has been more of a down year. He has just 25 combined tackles and three sacks in 10 games as New York has gotten off to a 3-7 start.
"I don't think it's up to my standard obviously," Williams said. "I just want to see more sacks. I want to see more numbers. I can't use double teams as an excuse, which I really don't. Other people try to use that excuse for me. It does happen, clearly. But all great players get double teamed. So, I can't use that as an excuse."
But more than his numbers, he feels comfortable with the current coaching staff in New York.
"I'm comfortable being in New York now," Williams said. "I'm comfortable where I live. I'm comfortable with people I know in the city. I know how to get around and maneuver. I'm comfortable with my locker room, my teammates, the facility ... I've been here for years."
Whether or not Bowles is a Jet will be a factor as well.
Bowles has been on the hot seat for a while. Coming off a 5-11 season, the 3-7 Jets are tied for the fourth-worst record in the NFL. Since starting Williams' rookie season 10-5, the Jets are 13-28 over their last 43 games. The losing has taken its toll on Williams.
"It does get tiring," Williams said. "I come from a winning program. Even in high school, I made it to the playoffs every year. Nobody likes losing. Nobody. Even if you don't come from a winning program. It sucks to lose."
He said he believes the Jets are close to having what it takes to be a contender.
"We know we can be a top team in the league," he said. "It's just one or two fine details that can change it all. When you get that close to making that turnaround, it makes it hard to think that you would start all over with a new staff."
Whether he and Bowles will be a Jet when it happens will be determined in the future.
