Jets fire Gregg Williams
The New York Jets have fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, according to Eric Allen of the team's official site.
The termination comes just one day after Williams' questionable play call resulted in the Las Vegas Raiders' game-winning touchdown, costing New York an opportunity for its first win of the season.
With a four-point lead in the final seconds, Williams sent an all-out blitz at Derek Carr. The Raiders quarterback avoided the rush and found Henry Ruggs streaking into the end zone. The decision baffled multiple players on both sides.
Head coach Adam Gase said he decided to fire Williams due to the play call.
"I obviously wasn't happy about that call. That was a heartbreaking way for our guys to lose a game," Gase said, according to NFL Network's Kim Jones. "We can't have that happen."
When asked why he didn't overrule Williams, Gase said he wished he would've called a timeout.
Williams was hired to be the team's defensive coordinator in 2019. After a respectable showing last season, New York's defense has fallen off a cliff in 2020, ranking 30th in points allowed per game and 29th in yardage allowed.
Assistant head coach Frank Bush will take over for Williams on an interim basis. Bush, who also serves as the team's linebackers coach, is in his second season with the Jets.
The Jets are just four losses away from joining the 2008 Detroit Lions and 2017 Cleveland Browns as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history. New York's remaining four opponents all hold a record of .500 or better:
Week | Team | Record |
---|---|---|
14 | Seahawks | 8-4 |
15 | Rams | 8-4 |
16 | Browns | 9-3 |
17 | Patriots | 6-6 |