The Dallas Cowboys are getting some much-needed help on the defensive side of the ball.
Jerry Jones and company made a deal to bring in New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The deal was made just before the 2025 NFL trade deadline and will see the Jets receive a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. It was a busy day of trading for both the Cowboys and Jets. Earlier in the day Dallas also acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Also, the Jets dealt away star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks. The Jets seem to be in rebuild mode with their decision to trade away two Pro Bowl talents on the defensive side of the ball in exchange for draft capital.
It’s for that reason that Williams appears to be happy for the change of scenery at this point in his career.
Quinnen Williams was reportedly ‘unhappy’ with New York Jets
According to a report from ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, Williams was “unhappy” with the Jets given the current state of their franchise. He was happy to be moved to a team that shows a lot more promise in the short term with Dallas.
“The #Cowboys are getting an excellent player in Q. He’s been unhappy with all the dysfunction of the #Jets. I think he’ll play great in Dallas, and he’s exactly what they need,” he wrote on X.
The #Cowboys are getting an excellent player in Q. He’s been unhappy with all the dysfunction of the #Jets. I think he’ll play great in Dallas, and he’s exactly what they need.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 4, 2025
The Jets currently hold one of the worst records in football at 1-7 and are on track to potentially secure the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. With no signs of any immediate playoff success in the club’s future, Williams, a 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowler, is happy to move to a team that gives him a better chance of winning a Lombardi Trophy.
This season, Williams has recorded 17 solo tackles so far, to go along with one sack and three forced fumbles. He is one of the most promising young interior defensive linemen in the league and will now play alongside Kenny Clark on a Dallas defensive line that just got a lot more anchored in the middle.
While Dallas is undoubtedly in better shape than the Jets at the moment, they also possess one of the worst defenses in the league statistically. Jones’ moves today in acquiring both Williams and Wilson via trade hope to rectify those issues and facilitate a quick turnaround for the Cowboys, whose current record stands at 3-5-1.
MORE: 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Tracker
The Cowboys suffered another disappointing loss on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals last night. They hope to regroup against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 17, following a bye week this week, in what will likely be Williams’ first game with his new team.