Even though the Cowboys’ record is under .500, they made a significant move at the trade deadline, and now they’re facing heavy criticism for what they gave up to get Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
Williams is recognized for being a solid pass rusher, though this season he’s managed just one sack. Regardless, the Cowboys decided to trade defensive tackle Maji Smith, along with a second-round pick in 2026 and a first-round pick in 2027, to land him. Bill Simmons strongly criticized the transaction, calling it a “shithole” deal.
“Dallas is drunk,” Simmons expressed on his podcast. “This is one of the worst… this Dallas trade is outrageous. If I were a Cowboys fan, my head would be spinning 360 degrees. You’re 3-5-1. You have no chance of doing anything in the playoffs. What are you doing?”
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones seems to still be driving the team’s efforts to become competitive and strengthen their defense.
Currently, Dallas’ defense sits at 31st in FTN’s DVOA rankings, but that might change with Williams on board.
It appears many people are questioning Jones, who is 83 years old, over this trade.
ESPN’s Seth Walder awarded the Cowboys an “F” for the deal, labeling it “terrible,” whereas the Jets received an A for their successful deadline sell-off that also included cornerback Sauce Gardner being traded to the Colts.
Fox Sports’ Nick Wright referred to the decision as “Dallas Madness.”
“They could have given up 90 percent of what they got for Micah Parsons,” Wright pointed out.
Earlier this season, when the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers, they obtained a first-round pick for 2026, another for 2027, and defensive lineman Kenny Clark in return.
In total, it seems the Cowboys traded a second-round pick in 2026, Parsons, and Smith to acquire Williams, Clark, and a first-round pick.
Now, Williams is poised for a fresh start in Dallas, with two years left on his contract after this season.
