The Dallas Cowboys were not done dealing on the final day of the NFL’s trade window, pulling off perhaps the most shocking deal ahead of the November 4 deadliinie by sending a “first round pick and more” to the New York Jets in exchange for NFL All-Pro and 3-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
The final details of the deal were Williams in exchange for a 2026 second round pick, 2027 first round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2023 first round pick.
“Blockbuster: The Cowboys are trading for Jets Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams, sending a first-round pick and more to NYJ, per The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “New home for one of the NFL’s best to team that values interior DLs, as NYJ builds for the future.”
The trade for Williams, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, sent shockwaves around the NFL and represents a significant investment in the Jets’ future. The 6-foot-303-pound Williams signed a 4-year, $96 million contract extension in July 2023 that would keep him in Dallas through the 2027 season.
It was the second blockbuster trade of the day for the Cowboys, who also made a deal for Cincinnati Bengals off ball linebacker Logan Wilson.
It was the second NFL All-Pro defender the Jets traded away in a 12-hour period after sending cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for 2 first round picks.
“Jets Blockbuster II: New York is trading three-time Pro-Bowl DT Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, sources tell ESPN,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “First CB Sauce Gardner and now, on the same day, Williams.”
Cowboys Land One of NFL’s Premiere Defenders
The deal for Williams gives the Cowboys arguably the NFL’s best 1-2 punch on the interior defensive line behind just the Philadelphia Eagles duo of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.
The Cowboys already have Pro Bowler Kenny Clark at one of the defensive tackle spots, with Clark part of the preseason trade that sent edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for 2 first round draft picks.
Williams comes to the Cowboys with their season on the brink after they dropped to 3-5-1 following a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
The Cowboys have one of the NFL’s best offenses but have been plagued by arguably the NFL’s worst defense — the Cowboys are ranked 31st out of 32 NFL teams in team defense.
Williams has spent the 7 seasons of his career on one of the NFL’s worst teams — the Jets haven’t played in the postseason since 2010 and haven’t had a winning record since 2015.
Social Media Melts Down Over Williams Trade
The internet went full Chernobyl after the Cowboys made the deal for Williams — Cowboys owner Jerry Jones teased he had a pair of huge trades on the way just one day ahead of the trade deadline.
“Quinnen Williams is one of just two DT since 2022 with – 85+ pass rush grade – 85+ run defense grade,” Pro Football Focus wrote on its official X account. “WELCOME TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS.”
“Potentially unpopular opinion: Getting 3 years of 27-year-old Quinnen Williams without giving up your two 1s in the upcoming draft is perfectly good business,” The Athletic’s Dave Helman wrote on his official X account.
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