Cowboys Acquire Quinnen Williams in Major Trade with Jets

The Dallas Cowboys made a bold move to enhance their struggling defense by trading for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets on November 4, 2025. In exchange, the Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York. This trade comes as the Cowboys aim to turn around a disappointing 3-5-1 start to the season.

The 2027 first-round pick sent to the Jets will be the better of Dallas’ two first-round selections that year. Earlier on the same day, the Cowboys also acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed enthusiasm about the trades, emphasizing their potential long-term impact: “It’s exciting. Kudos to Jerry and Stephen [Jones] and Will [McClay].”

The Cowboys had previously explored a trade involving Williams and linebacker Micah Parsons before the season began. However, the Jets indicated they were unable to afford Parsons’ contract. Now, with Williams added to the roster alongside Kenny Clark, acquired from the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys aim to fortify their defensive line.

Williams, 28, was selected as the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and has been named to the Pro Bowl for the 2021-2023 seasons. He has recorded 40 sacks throughout his career and has tallied 32 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, and three quarterback hurries this season. He leads all defensive linemen with a 9.5% run stop percentage as per ESPN Research.

The Jets also made significant moves on the same day, trading star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, along with wide receiver AD Mitchell. Williams had reportedly expressed frustration with the Jets’ direction, particularly after a poor start to the season, and was unhappy with his role on the defense.

Williams’ contract, which runs through 2027 with a base salary of $20.75 million next year, had also raised concerns for the Jets. With the expectation that Williams might seek a renegotiation, the team opted to move him instead of committing further financial resources.

As the Cowboys prepare to integrate Williams into their defensive scheme, the focus will be on how they utilize him alongside Clark and Osa Odighizuwa. Historically, the Cowboys have faced challenges with their run defense, allowing more than 80 rushing yards in each game this season. The addition of Williams and Clark is seen as a strategic effort to address this ongoing issue.

This trade marks the most significant move for the Cowboys since 2018 when they acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Raiders for a first-round pick. That move revitalized the Cowboys’ offense, leading to a playoff appearance. With the current season hanging in the balance, the Cowboys hope that the acquisitions of Williams and Wilson will similarly provide a boost.

The Cowboys will be on their bye week following this trade and are set to return to action on November 17 against the Raiders. Williams is expected to join the team shortly, with his first full practice scheduled for next week. As Dallas looks to rebound from a challenging start, the integration of these new players will be crucial to their playoff aspirations.