Quinnen Williams Joins Dallas Cowboys in Blockbuster Trade

The New York Jets have traded star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster move at the 2025 NFL trade deadline. In return, the Jets will receive a 2026 second-round draft pick, a 2027 first-rounder, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith, according to multiple reports, including New York Post. Williams, who was selected third overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, has been a cornerstone for the Jets’ defense throughout his career. The 27-year-old has played 98 games for the Jets, recording 40.0 sacks and earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections. He was also named First-Team All-Pro in 2022, cementing his status among the league’s premier defensive linemen. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 303 pounds, Williams has been one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the NFL. For more career stats and details, see his Pro Football Reference page. Despite his personal success, Williams never experienced a winning season during his seven years with the Jets. As the team stumbled to a 1-7 record in 2025, rumors circulated about Williams’ dissatisfaction and a potential move before the trade deadline. The trade was finalized shortly after the Jets sent cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts, signaling a full-scale rebuild under new head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey. With the trades of both Williams and Gardner, considered the two best defenders on the team, the Jets have accumulated significant draft capital—five first-round picks over the next two years. This strategy likely positions the Jets to target a quarterback in the upcoming draft or to add key talent around a young signal-caller. As for the Dallas Cowboys, they bolster their defensive front with one of the league’s most dominant tackles, aiming to solidify their playoff push. Williams joins a talented Dallas roster hungry for postseason success. The move marks the end of an era for Quinnen Williams with the Jets, but also presents a new chapter in Dallas, where expectations will be high for immediate impact. NFL fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this trade shapes the futures of both franchises.