Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been outspoken about his desire to bolster the team’s run defense this offseason, and he has now made a significant move to achieve that goal.
The Cowboys have acquired star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in a blockbuster trade. In exchange, Dallas will send a 2026 second-round draft pick, a 2027 first-rounder, and this year’s first-round pick, defensive tackle Mazi Smith, to the Jets.
The deal involves a conditional first-round pick, which will be the higher selection between Dallas’ own pick and the one they obtained from the Green Bay Packers in the trade for linebacker Micah Parsons.
This move comes on the heels of another major decision by the Jets, who earlier traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks.
Williams will now team up with fellow defensive tackle Kenny Clark, whom the Cowboys acquired from the Packers in the Parsons deal, creating what could be one of the most formidable defensive lines in the NFL.
Originally drafted third overall by the Jets in 2019, Williams has been a standout player, earning a first-team All-Pro nod in 2022 and making three Pro Bowl appearances.
The Jets selected Williams with the third overall pick in the 2019 draft. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2022, and he’s a three-time Pro Bowler.
“Williams is signed through 2027. His base salary for 2025 is $15.65 million. Next year, it increases to $20.75 million. In 2027, it becomes $25.4 million,” Pro Football Talk reports.
