Cowboys Make Big Moves Before Trade Deadline
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ quarterback, expressed his excitement on Tuesday regarding the surprise acquisition of defensive lineman Quinnen Williams from the Jets. “I’m so excited,” he shared with reporters. The 3-5-1 Cowboys parted with defensive tackle Maji Smith, along with a second-round pick in 2026 and a first-round pick in 2027, to bring Williams on board, who was previously a first-round draft choice.
Alongside Williams, Dallas also secured veteran linebacker Logan Wilson from the Bengals, a player who had shown interest in making a move. Cincinnati received a seventh-round pick in 2026 in the trade for Wilson, who started his NFL journey with the Bengals in 2020.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted the defensive struggles, especially in light of Micah Parsons being sidelined for most of the season. He credited owner Jerry Jones for hinting at these changes during the trade deadline. “It’s exciting,” Schottenheimer remarked, emphasizing the strategic nature of the trades. “We’ve made some moves that will allow us to get players who can be good not only this year but beyond.” He expressed confidence in both newly acquired players, referring to them as great talents and individuals.
Despite some backlash from NFL commentators—Bill Simmons notably referred to the Williams trade as “fucking stupid”—Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa remained optimistic. “I think it just adds more playmaking ability to the D-line,” he stated, seeing Williams as a strong addition to the roster.
As for Wilson and Williams, they’ll need some time to adapt to their new surroundings. The Cowboys are set to return to the field after a bye week against the Raiders on November 17th.
Additionally, the Jets, facing a challenging season with a 1-7 record, were also active at the trade deadline. They traded away Sauce Gardner, another first-round pick, to the Colts in exchange for two first-round selections and receiver AD Mitchell. Gardner had recently signed a four-year, $120.4 million extension over the summer, marking significant changes in the Jets’ roster.
