Dallas bets big on former All-Pro tackle in a high-stakes trade with the Jets
The Dallas Cowboys made their boldest move in years at the NFL trade deadline, acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in a deal aimed at stabilizing a defense that has faltered through the first half of the season.
Dallas sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York in exchange for Williams. The deal was finalized shortly before Tuesday’s deadline and marks one of the most aggressive in-season trades in recent franchise history.
Williams, 27, was the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and quickly developed into one of the league’s premier interior linemen. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and had compiled 40 sacks and 59 tackles for loss in his career before the trade. Known for his blend of power, technique, and quickness off the snap, Williams is widely regarded as one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the game.
The Cowboys, sitting at 3-5-1 and struggling to stop the run, had a glaring weakness in the middle of their defensive line. Through nine games, they ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed per game and generated little interior pressure. Williams is expected to change that immediately.
With his arrival, Dallas gains a legitimate centerpiece for its defensive front — someone who can command double teams, collapse the pocket, and blow up run plays before they develop. That type of impact player is something the Cowboys have lacked since the departure of several key veterans up front in recent years.
The timing of the trade allows for a smoother transition. Dallas enters its bye week, giving new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and his staff time to integrate Williams into the system. Eberflus, who returned to the Cowboys after a stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears, is known for his aggressive, gap-disciplined schemes — a style that could maximize Williams’ strengths as both a penetrator and a read-and-react defender.
For the Jets, the decision to move on from Williams was driven by long-term planning. With a high salary cap hit and multiple roster holes elsewhere, the franchise opted to recoup draft capital and reset at the position. Williams had signed a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, which now transfers to Dallas, with two seasons remaining after this one.
While the Cowboys gave up premium assets to make the deal, they believe the payoff justifies the cost. Williams brings proven production, leadership, and a disruptive presence to a defense in need of all three.
He will be ready to make his Cowboys debut after the team’s bye week. If he performs up to his standard, the Cowboys’ defensive identity could shift dramatically — from vulnerable up the middle to formidable.
By making this move, Dallas signaled its intentions clearly: despite the slow start and the uphill climb in the NFC standings, the front office is not punting on the season. With Quinnen Williams at the center of the line, the Cowboys are banking on a stronger, more aggressive second half — and perhaps a return to relevance.
Check Out All EasySportz NFL Content Here!
Jaguars Season Preview, A Look Back!
