Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, hinted at potential trade plans before their recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and it looks like he followed through. Reports indicate that the New York Jets have traded All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys in a second deal leading up to the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday.
The Jets’ first deal involved Sauce Gardner, who was extended for four years in the offseason and then traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round picks.
In the transaction with the Cowboys, the Jets received Dallas’s 2027 first-round pick along with the higher of two future picks from the Green Bay Packers that originated from the Micah Parsons trade. Additionally, New York secured defensive tackle Maji Smith and a 2026 second-round pick, as well as a former first-round pick out of Michigan State.
The Cowboys’ defense has shown weakness this season. The trade for Parsons, made during the preseason, hasn’t paid off well so far. Besides, Dallas needs support at the edge, and with Williams joining fellow All-Pro defensive tackle Kenny Clark, it might bring some improvement.
Despite their 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, the Cowboys are still scoring heavily, with the fourth-most points per game in the NFL (29.2). However, their defense is ranked poorly, allowing 397.4 yards and 30.8 points on average.
Currently, Williams, now in his seventh NFL season, has recorded one sack, 32 total tackles, and seven tackles for loss through eight games this season. In his career, he boasts 40 sacks, 322 total tackles, and 59 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a strong run stopper and pass rusher, which the Cowboys desperately need to enhance their defensive consistency.
