Few will doubt that Jets linebacker Quincy Williams has the gift of gab. He talks on the field. He talks off the field. Maybe he talks in his sleep.

Now, as one of two alpha males (with Jamien Sherwood) playing the position for HC Aaron Glenn and DC Steve Wilks, Williams has been keen on listening.

"In OTAs, Coach Glenn already said we're going to be physical during training camp," Williams said after Thursday's practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. "I said 'you talking my language, you come here speaking the same thing.' I like that."

Addressing Glenn's early attention to tackling drills and technique, Williams said: "He we also went through the types of tackling and stuff like that. So when we get on the field, we know what we're talking about. We're all speaking the same language."

Though he missed the majority of games last season, yielding his spot to the well-prepared Sherwood, the retired C.J. Mosley still looms large over the Jets' tandem at linebacker.

"Just learning from a guy like that, I was able to take all that wisdom and put it into my own mental notebook and, you know, just go out there and play ball," Sherwood said, referring to Mosley.

Now teaming with Williams from the get-go, Sherwood said he appreciates his vocal teammate.

"With Quincy, you're going to get what you're going to get," Sherwood said. "He comes out here every day, excited, smiling. He brings the energy. He lights up the room. So just having a teammate like him or a brother like him that brings more energy, energy to my game. Having that extra voice right next to me it's critical. Having someone next to me thinking the same way that I think, is very critical."

Williams, who will turn 29 on Aug. 28, is clearly among the most impactful waiver wire pickups in club history since being dropped by Jacksonville before the start of the 2021 NFL season. In each of his four seasons with the Green & White, Williams has surpassed 100 total tackles (417 in all; 315 of the solo variety) and was named an Associated Press first-team All-Pro for the 2023 season. He finished last season with 116 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles and 14 TFL.

A demon from sideline to sideline, Williams is durable and available, having played in 65 of 68 games since joining the Jets.

"I like everything about Quincy," Wilks said on Thursday. "He's physical in the core. I thought he's done a great job. From last year, what I saw on tape this spring, really striking. And playing with his hands, he gives us the ability to be able to play out in space, match up on tight ends and running backs. Very versatile."

The defense under Wilks and Glenn is likely to emulate the system AG oversaw during his time as Detroit's DC. Last season the Lions were among the top 5 in the league in blitz percentage, QB hurries, pressures and knockdowns. When Wilks was the 49ers' DC in 2023 they were No. 1 in interceptions and tied for fifth in takeaways. Williams believes the scheme is a perfect fit.

"I'm a ballplayer," said Williams, the older brother of DT Quinnen Williams. "Whatever they tell me to do, I'm going to do. In this defense, I got a mission. I'm on a mission. I'm on a mission for all, I want everything.

"So number one, I want to lead my team to a place that we haven't been in a while, so that's my number one mindset. And then to also get myself to a point where I'm consistent on all phases -- my meeting time, how I am in the meeting, how I am in the locker room as a leader on the team, and then also how I am as a leader on the field. Lead by example, by making plays, and not just that hoorah person trying to get everybody together. Everybody will follow me just because of my play and the way I'm playing. So just having that mindset."