Money talks. So does Quinnen Williams.
In other words, the $96 million extension that Williams signed with the Jets in July hasn’t created a new person.
“I’ve seen no change in the sense that he’s still his bubbly personality, team-first, practices his absolute tail off, very deliberate in everything he does,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “I do think he’s probably picked up a notch in terms of conditioning.”
The idea of an improved Williams is tantalizing after a career-high 12 sacks and a First-Team All-Pro selection last season.
“Everybody on our team is trying to get on that Aaron Rodgers level as guys who have amazing experience, amazing accountability and different things like that,” Williams told The Post. “Everybody is trying to scratch and claw for how they can get better every day and get to that level of execution.”
Williams said the season opener Monday will feel different than the first 57 games of his NFL career, but not because he is much richer or because he feels a need to justify his new deal.
“I feel like I’m different when it comes down to the accountability I have, the player I am,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m way different than years before. Not because of my contract, but I feel like I’m growing [every] year, getting better, learning every single year.
“It’s definitely different going into a season when you’ve got the work behind you, and the quarterback, and the offense. Knowing that you are going out there not just by yourself but with a great group of guys on the D-line and the entire team who have the same mindset to win that football game.”
That’s why the Jets are confident that Williams will break the decades-old trend of players who received an extension and then underachieved.
“The old saying, ‘Money only makes you more of what you already are,’ ” Saleh said, “and if anything it has even made him more of a leader, more of a competitor, more of all the good things that he is.”
LT Duane Brown (shoulder), RT Mekhi Becton (knee, illness) and RB Breece Hall (knee) were listed as questionable on the final injury report despite full participation in practice Saturday.
CB Michael Carter II (elbow) was a full participant but added to the report on “semantics,” Saleh said.
Barring a late change, the Jets will have their full 53-man roster available Monday to narrow down to 46 active players.
Saleh said the decision has not been made yet whether to elevate third-string quarterback Tim Boyle from the practice squad.
Becton will play his first regular-season game ever in front of Jets fans, after his rookie season was spent under COVID-19 restrictions and the next two seasons amounted to one game played (on the road) and 33 missed due to knee injuries.
“I am excited for him,” Saleh said. “He’s going to have some mistakes. It is what it is. He hasn’t played football in two years, but he has worked hard to get to this point.”