Jets Fans Demand Isaiah Williams Be Cut After “Inexcusable” Blunders
The New York Jets’ latest stumble came with a sting, and much of it centered on return specialist Isaiah Williams, whose errors on special teams overshadowed an already sloppy outing. In a 27-21 Week 4 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday, September 30, 2025, Williams turned what could have been momentum-swinging possessions into self-inflicted wounds that left fans and analysts shaking their heads.
The first major error came on the opening kickoff of the second half. With New York trailing by just one score after 40-year-old kicker Nick Folk had nailed a career-long 58-yard field goal before halftime, the Jets were set to receive the ball. The kick from Miami sailed toward the sideline and looked destined to go out of bounds, which would have automatically given the Jets possession at their own 40-yard line. Instead, Williams fielded it at his own six-yard line, attempted a return, and then fumbled. Miami recovered immediately, taking over across midfield. Six plays later, the Dolphins capitalized with a touchdown to stretch their lead to 17-3.
Williams’ night went from bad to worse in the fourth quarter. After the Jets’ defense forced a crucial three-and-out, Dolphins punter Jake Bailey sent the ball 57 yards downfield. Rather than letting it bounce into the end zone for a touchback, Williams called for a fair catch at the Jets’ two-yard line. The decision pinned quarterback Justin Fields and the offense deep in their own territory. The Jets managed just 28 yards on the drive before punting the ball back, giving Miami the chance to chew more clock and extend its advantage back to 14 points.
After the game, Williams acknowledged the mistakes, saying, “Just stuff that can’t happen. Something that we work on and I know. It’s stuff that I know. Just stuff that I can’t do.” Asked about head coach Aaron Glenn’s message following the blunders, Williams admitted, “We can’t have that. We’ve got to be smarter.”
“Just stuff that can’t happen. Something that we work on and I know. It’s stuff that I know. Just stuff that I can’t do.”
Isaiah Williams talks about what happened on his fair catch inside the five-yard line: pic.twitter.com/ubGLJYOnZ9
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 30, 2025
The miscues did not go unnoticed. NFL analyst Will Parkinson reacted on social media, describing Williams’ decision to field the kickoff and fumble as “insane” and “inexcusable.”
Isaiah Williams not letting that just go out of bounds and then fumbling is insane…. Inexcusable.
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) September 30, 2025
The Jet Press account posted, “Isaiah Williams it’s time to collect your walking papers my man this is embarrassing.”
Isaiah Williams it’s time to collect your walking papers my man this is embarrassing
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) September 30, 2025
Former NFL player Leger Douzable added, “No way you can continue to roll Isaiah Williams out there. Time to give Jamaal Pritchett an opportunity next week if Nene [Kene Nwangwu] isn’t back.”
No way you cam continue to roll Isaiah Williams out there. Time to give Pritchard an opportunity next week if Nene isn’t back
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) September 30, 2025
Jets content creators also weighed in, with The Buffalo Jet Fan posting, “BRO. Isaiah Williams? It’s so simple. Standing at your own 8, you literally don’t back up to catch it. That’s it, that’s all man. That’s spring install at division III schools man. Unreal,” while NYJ Matt reacted even more strongly: “ISAIAH WILLIAMS FAIR CATCH ON THE 1.5 YARD LINE WHAT THE [EXPLETIVE] MY GUY.”
ISAIAH WILLIAMS FAIR CATCH ON THE 1.5 YARD LINE WHAT THE FUCK MY GUY
— NYJ Matt (@NYJ_Matt) September 30, 2025
The controversy comes only weeks after the Jets cut ties with another returner, Xavier Gipson, who was released following his own special teams fumble in Week 1 that directly led to a touchdown. That decision signaled a zero-tolerance policy for preventable errors, raising questions about whether Williams will face the same fate.
While the Jets dealt with the fallout of Williams’ mistakes, sportsbooks adjusted their markets heading into Week 5. DraftKings priced New York as a +2.5 underdog at MetLife Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys, with a +114 moneyline and a game total of 47.5, while FanDuel listed the Jets at +120 with Dallas favored at -142. BetMGM matched the spread at Cowboys -2.5 (-115), and consensus across Covers, ESPN, and CBS showed the same DAL -2.5, O/U 47.5. Early lines opened at Dallas -1.5 with a total of 44.5, but heavy betting pushed the spread to -2.5 and totals to 47.5, a growing confidence in a higher-scoring game and a modest edge to Dallas.
Expert commentary has leaned toward Dallas in Week 5. ESPN’s Football Power Index gave the Cowboys roughly a 59% chance of winning with an implied margin closer to 3.5 points, aligning with the line movement. Covers’ previews and the Action Network’s pick tracker also include the consensus around Dallas as a small favorite. FOX Sports, however, flagged the matchup as a potential “slugfest” under play, offering a contrarian angle despite the rising total.
The numbers paint a grim picture for New York. The Jets fumbled three times, committed over 10 penalties, and squandered opportunities throughout the Miami game. Despite moments of promise, such as Folk’s long field goal just before halftime, Williams’ second-half fumble shifted momentum back to Miami immediately. By the time he misjudged the punt in the fourth quarter, the game had slipped away.
