Quinnen Williams Eyes Big Paycheck with Cowboys

Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams of the Cowboys might be on the brink of a significant payday.

The former Jet was traded to Dallas in 2025 and still has two years remaining on his four-year, $96 million deal. However, he’s apparently high on Jerry Jones’ list for contract talks.

In the trade, the Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Madge Smith, with the aim of utilizing Williams for over two and a half years.

Williams, who was picked No. 3 overall by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft, has spent over six years with them, but he’s definitely looking forward to sticking around in Dallas as well.

“I really want to be here for a long time,” Williams mentioned during a press conference on Wednesday.

He added, “Long-term is great, but winning is my main focus. I want to help get our defense ready to win games.”

There’s good reason to believe the Cowboys could have a successful season, largely due to their formidable defensive line.

Williams teams up with Kenny Clark to form a strong unit, while players like DeMarvion Overshawn and Donovan Ezeilak have shown the talent to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Last season, Williams had a total of 21 tackles, 1.5 assists, and 1 interception across seven games with the Cowboys. Now, while a championship could still come without signing a new deal, the recent trend where defensive tackles are landing hefty contracts might actually bolster Williams’ negotiations. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones did mention they’re keen to begin discussions during training camp.

For instance, Jalen Carter recently signed a four-year, $152 million extension with the Eagles, and Jeffery Simmons secured a three-year, $105.8 million deal with the Titans.

Williams expressed his thoughts on the importance of defensive tackles: “It’s incredible to see how impactful our position is. If you look at teams that made it to the Super Bowl, like Seattle, the Eagles, and Kansas City—there were key defensive tackles that contributed greatly.”

Other tackles, such as Vita Vea from the Buccaneers and Dexter Lawrence II from the Bengals, have set examples by demanding trades if their expected numbers weren’t met.

While Williams has two years left on his current contract, which may lessen his leverage, it seems the Cowboys and Jones might still be open to discussions about his future.