On Wednesday morning, New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks talked about how the competition was going to line up with former Alabama All-American and three-time Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams as the NFL team’s defensive tackles.

“I thought those guys are doing a great job,” Wilks said. “And again we’re looking for that balance that’s going to be opposite of Q. Some guy that’s going to be able to demand also a double-team as well so we can take the pressure off of him.”

Wilks mentioned Byron Cowart, Phidarian Mathis, Fatoma Mulbah, Leonard Taylor and Jay Tufele during his remarks.

By Wednesday night, the Jets had that “guy,” and he wasn’t on their roster when Wilks was speaking. New York swung a trade for Harrison Phillips, who has started every game for the past three seasons at defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Jets also added defensive tackle Jowon Briggs in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.

On Thursday, New York waived Mathis, a former Alabama standout, after Wilks said on Wednesday: “I love what he’s doing.”

Mathis played a career-high 257 defensive snaps in 12 games for the Washington Commanders last season before being waived on Dec. 28 to create a roster spot for former Crimson Tide All-American Jonathan Allen, who was returning from injured reserve.

The Jets claimed Mathis off waivers, but he did not play in New York’s remaining game.

A second-round draft pick in 2022, Mathis sustained a knee injury on the third snap of his NFL career and missed the remainder of his rookie season. In 2023, Mathis opened the season on injured reserve after suffering a calf injury during the preseason and missed the first seven games.

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

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