The Buffalo Bills entered this season with one clear goal: break through the AFC and finally secure a Super Bowl appearance under the Josh Allen era. As the trade deadline approached, it became clear that the Bills’ front office was more aggressive than most fans had realized. According to league sources, the Bills attempted to pull off two major trades, one of which targeted All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets.
However, the Dallas Cowboys stepped in before an offer with the Bills ever materialized. Jerry Jones acquired Williams in exchange for Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick that the Cowboys received from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Micah Parsons.
AFC East Rival Refused to Help the Buffalo Bills Acquire Quinnen Williams
A report from Tom Pelissero was released, providing insight into the Bills’ trade deadline plans.
“The Bills were the high bidder for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle and also tried to acquire then-Jets DL Quinnen Williams before Tuesday’s trade deadline, per sources. In both cases, their AFC East rivals ultimately gave Buffalo no help in its push for a 6th straight division title.”
The Bills were the high bidder for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle and also tried to acquire then-Jets DL Quinnen Williams before Tuesday’s trade deadline, per sources.
In both cases, their AFC East rivals ultimately gave Buffalo no help in its push for a 6th straight division title. pic.twitter.com/GQrnJxm6dV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 9, 2025
Whether either deal was sufficient is unknown, but the Bills were unable to acquire either player at the trade deadline. However, with the trade to the Cowboys, it seems apparent that the Jets would not trade him to an in-division rival unless they were overwhelmed by the return.
According to Spotrac, Williams would be under contract with the new team that acquires him until the end of the 2027 season. Next year, Williams has a cap hit of $21,750,000 and $25,500,000 in 2027 before becoming a free agent in 2028.
With the Cowboys’ reluctance to extend star players like Parsons, it is a possibility that the Bills could sign him in 2028, in his age-30 season.
For the rest of the season, the Bills will rely on DaQuan Jones, Deone Walker, Phidarian Mathis, Jordan Phillips, and Larry Ogunjobi to man the trenches.
Currently, their star defensive tackle, Ed Oliver, is on the injured reserve with a torn bicep that he suffered in a Week 8 win against the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Sean McDermott announced that Oliver would need surgery, resulting in him being out indefinitely.
