The New York Jets stole the show on deadline day as they sent their All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks and WR AD Mitchell. And here come the Jets once again, but this time trading All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys.
The New York Jets Make Another Blockbuster
The Jets are blowing it up and stockpiling for the future as they have now dealt two All-Pros from their defense in Williams and Gardner. The Cowboys needed help on the defensive line and seized their opportunity to get the $96 million man. The Jets are in sell mode, and the Cowboys capitalized.
BREAKING: The Jets are trading All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, multiple sources tell me.
Another blockbuster as the wild day for New York continues. https://t.co/ydgA7uhuLl pic.twitter.com/p9XCsjDTxH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 4, 2025
The return is another big one for New York as they are getting a 2027 first-round pick, whichever is higher between Dallas and Green Bay, and a 2026 second-round pick. But Williams has been a fan favorite of all Jets fans and has been through it all with the team. It will hurt, but the Jets are stockpiling capital for the future.
Full expected trade:#Jets trade: Quinnen Williams#Cowboys trade: 2026 2nd round pick and 2027 1st round pick. https://t.co/RU81dvRkqW
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 4, 2025
The draft picks weren’t all that the Cowboys gave away, as they traded former 2023 first-round pick DT Mazi Smith to New York as well.
MORE: 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
The Jets are going all-in on the future while taking flyers on young guys who are looking to make an impact with fresh starts. After acquiring Mitchell, Smith is another young player who can get immediate reps and look to prove himself.
Sources: Mazi Smith to the Jets as well. https://t.co/nRpJn1krvc pic.twitter.com/B0MEkzjy59
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 4, 2025
The Jets have the future on their minds, while the Cowboys are addressing immediate holes on their defensive line. Williams does just that. He’s finished in the top 20 of PFSN’s DT Impact score every year since 2020 and is on pace for that in 2025. He ranks 10th in 2025 with a grade of 82.7.
The Cowboys sit at 3-5-1 and need significant improvement to make the playoffs. Their defense has struggled, and adding Williams will help. The Cowboys have little room for error, and they must go on a hot streak to save this season. They are mortgaging some of their future assets for a potential run in 2025 that may not happen, but the picks from the Micah Parsons deal will lessen the blow.
The Jets are stamping themselves all over the trade deadline. There is a good chance that they aren’t done either. With players like Breece Hall, Jermaine Johnson II, and even Quincy Williams potentially to be moved, fans should stay tuned for another potential blockbuster involving the Jets.