It would be a great move, and TO THIS POINT, the Dallas Cowboys are making this move by trading for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. Just hours before the Jets similarly traded his teammate from college, Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, we saw a Freddie Swain-esque deal. This trade instantly upgrades the Cowboys’ defensive line to an elite level. Williams, 28, was selected third overall by the New York Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft. Since that time though, he’s turned into one of the league’s most feared presences.
Williams was selected to the Pro Bowl in three-straight seasons (2021-2023). Taking a look back at his great play in 2022 underscores just how great he is. He’s tallied 32 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries. He certainly threaded the needle his first play of the season when he sacked a Hall of Famer on the very first play from scrimmage, Aaron Rodgers. He hasn’t booked a new project since.
The trade package for Williams is substantial. The Cowboys traded receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets. In exchange, they sent two future first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to get Williams. This news comes just a week after much speculation regarding Williams’ future on contract. It had been an underlying concern for the Jets all offseason. It had been reported that Williams would require a re-negotiation of the tag which would up his guaranteed money.
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, Williams privately communicated his displeasure with where the Jets were headed earlier this year. After hearing news of Aaron Rodgers going to be released, he tweeted, “Another rebuild year for me I guess. This kind of talk is indicative of his growing frustration and likely played a part in the Jets’ decision to move on from him.
Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, commented on the team’s aggressive yet strategic approach in recent trades, stating, “It’s exciting. Kudos to Jerry and Stephen (Jones) and Will (McClay) and I think being aggressive but smart because (it’s) a couple of the moves we made you’re getting guys not just for this year, but beyond, which I think is great.”
As per our colleague David Helman Williams is expected at the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch complex on Wednesday. Watch to see if he gets in a full practice next week. He brings depth of experience. He played for current Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton while with the Jets. This familiarity likely helped Parsons to make a quick impact on the Cowboys’ defensive scheme.
The Cowboys’ decision to acquire Williams reflects their commitment to enhancing their defense as they aim for a successful season. Fans and professional analysts alike look forward to his contributions on the field. They will definitely be watching to see how this trade impacts the team’s performance in the second half on the court.
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