Jets exercise Leonard Williams' 5th-year option

The New York Jets exercised the fifth-year option in defensive lineman Leonard Williams' contract, the team announced Saturday.

Williams will earn $14.2 million for the 2019 season, according to Spotrac.

The 23-year-old was selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2015 and has enjoyed three strong seasons at the professional level. He's the new leader of the defensive line after the team offloaded Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson in recent months.