Linebacker Quincy Williams got a crash course in playing for the New York Jets without C.J. Mosley on the field during the 2024 season. Now he’s preparing for a campaign knowing that the former Alabama All-American will not be with him in 2025.

That leaves a leadership void on the New York defense, and new Jets coach Aaron Glenn is expecting Williams to fill it.

“That was one of the things Coach AG challenged me when he first got the job,” Williams said. “He called me. He said, ‘The first thing I’m going to do is I’m going to challenge you. First of all, I’m going to tell you my vision, then I’m going to hear about what’s your vision for yourself, and then I’m going to challenge you. I’m going to have you a personal challenge, and then I’m going to have you a team challenge.’

“So that was one of the team challenges, especially with C.J. being gone. (Linebacker Jamien) Sherwood coming in is also a young player. Me being one of the oldest guys on the team, it’s more like, ‘All right, it ain’t just doing your job no more. I’m going to challenge you with something else this time. You asked for this next level. Let’s see if you’re going to be able to handle it.’”

Williams joined the Jets in 2021, and over the next three seasons, Mosley registered 478 tackles and Williams recorded 355.

Mosley retired in June after injuries limited him to four games in 2024, and the Jets released him in March. But Williams said he’s still consulting with his former teammate.

“It feels natural,” Williams said of his more vocal role. “But it’s just the thought process, the confidence part of it. But I’ve been talking to C.J. about it. I’m confident in myself. I’m confident in the job I’m already doing, so now I can open my mouth and help other people because I’m confident in what I’m doing already.”

New York is holding its first practice of training camp on Wednesday. During the Jets’ offseason program, Williams said he was making sure he would be ready to lead from the start when training camp arrived.

“Making sure as far as like anything that’s bothering me, making sure I’m a full-go in training camp, so that won’t be one of the things that’s on my mind,” Williams said of his preparation. “And then on top of that, making sure I got my playbook down pat so that won’t be one of the things on my mind. …

“So now it’s more like leading a team instead of ‘All right, let me get myself together.’ And then I’m being quiet because I’m not confident in what I’m doing and I can’t tell nobody what to do if you ain’t confident in what you’re doing.”

Williams and Mosley were Alabama high school standouts – Williams at Wenonah and Mosley at Theodore.

The Jets open their three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 9 against the Green Bay Packers. The regular season kicks off on Sept. 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.