Between not being the Jets local flagship station and regularly criticizing the organization, WFAN afternoon hosts Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts already have enough trouble getting Gang Green guests on their show. A recent interview with Jets linebacker Avery Williamson isn’t likely to help the cause.
Williamson has a good relationship with Benigno and Roberts, who are diehard Jets fans. The linebacker did a weekly spot with Benigno and Roberts during the 2018 season, but he missed all of last year with a knee injury. Now healthy and back on the field, Williamson has returned as a frequent guest with Benigno and Roberts.
During their Tuesday afternoon show, Benigno referenced veteran safety Bradley McDougald and his assessment of the team having lazy practices. The WFAN host called it a major indictment of head coach Adam Gase. Williamson responded by echoing McDougald’s practice evaluation, which surprised Benigno and Roberts who could only say “wow” and “oh my God.”
According to Brian Costello, Jets beat writer for The New York Post and team reporter for WFAN, Gase received a text from Williamson clarifying the comments he made on the radio.
The Jets and Williamson haven’t said he won’t be returning to WFAN, but if last year is any precedent, it might not be long before the linebacker stops joining Benigno and Roberts. Last season, safety Jamal Adams cancelled his weekly segment with the radio station in September because WFAN host Maggie Gray asked him about scrubbing his Twitter account of Jets references. Adams would later demand and receive a trade from the Jets in the offseason.
Similarly, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur cancelled his weekly spot with Mike Francesa on WFAN a year ago because of what was deemed to be an overly critical line of questioning. Shurmur was later fired at the end of the season and Francesa has since retired from WFAN for a third time.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
