The Dallas Cowboys pulled off a blockbuster trade for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but the move has drawn sharp criticism.
The Cowboys packaged a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-rounder, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets in exchange for Williams — a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s elite interior defenders.
At 27, the former No. 3 overall pick out of Alabama has long been the centerpiece of New York’s defense, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 after a dominant 12-sack campaign. Williams has consistently ranked among the league’s most disruptive tackles and is a force against both the run and the pass.
But while Williams’ talent is unquestioned, the move raises eyebrows given what Dallas surrendered to land him amid a disappointing 3-5-1 start. ESPN’s Seth Walder gave the Cowboys an “F” for the trade.
“There’s no other way to put it: This is a horrific trade for the Cowboys,” Walder said. “It is completely unfathomable for a team like Dallas to be trading away major draft resources for a soon-to-be-28-year-old defensive tackle on a salary-heavy contract in a season when it has a 7% chance to make the playoffs, per ESPN’s Football Power Index. And yet here we are.
“If they felt regret over the Micah Parsons deal and thought this would ease the pain … trust me, it’s only making it worse.”
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Was Eager to Make Trade
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been teasing a potential trade for weeks and continued to make bold statements even after the team dropped Monday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
“There is no trade right now, but there is one I can do. Without question, there is one I can do. And I’m leaning toward doing it,” Jones said. “It wasn’t dependent on this outcome. What I said, absolutely we do. We’ll see how tomorrow goes. Today was all about tomorrow. You shouldn’t do anything. You should wait and see what we do tomorrow.”
Jones added, “I like our nuts and bolts. I don’t like what’s happening to our nuts and bolts, though.”
Less than 24 hours later, Jones pulled the trigger on the deal for Williams, as well as a separate trade for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson.
Cowboys ‘Pumped’ After Quinnen Williams Trade
There is no negativity inside the building about the Cowboys’ trade deadline moves, with Cowboys first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer praising Jones and the front office for making something happen.
“It’s exciting,” Schottenheimer said. “Kudos to Jerry and Stephen, Will, being aggressive but then smart. A couple of moves we made, you’re getting guys not just for this year but beyond, which I think is great… I think it’s two terrific players, but also terrific young men.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott echoed that sentiment, albeit in fewer words.
“I’m (expletive) pumped,” Prescott told reporters about the addition of Williams.
The Cowboys are heading into their bye week. Dallas’ next matchup is on Nov. 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Williams will more than likely be on the field for that game to make his debut.
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