FRISCO, Texas — Searching for defensive enhancements that may assist flip round a dismal 3-5-1 begin to the season, the Dallas Cowboys added two starters, together with Professional Bowl defensive sort out Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets, earlier than Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
The Cowboys gave up a 2026 second-round choose, a 2027 first-round choose and defensive sort out Mazi Smith to the Jets to finish the commerce for Williams. The 2027 choose going to the Jets would be the higher of the Cowboys’ two first-round picks that 12 months.
Earlier Tuesday, the Cowboys acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 2026 seventh-round choose.
“It is thrilling. Kudos to Jerry and Stephen (Jones) and Will (McClay) and I believe being aggressive however good as a result of (it is) a few the strikes we made you are getting guys not only for this 12 months, however past, which I believe is nice,” coach Brian Schottenheimer stated. “It will get you excited as a coach and I believe it is two terrific gamers, but additionally terrific younger males.”
The Cowboys had discussions with the Jets relating to Williams in a possible commerce for Micah Parsons earlier than the season began, however they have been informed New York didn’t have the sources to signal Parsons to a mega-contract. Two months later, the Cowboys have Kenny Clark, who was acquired from the Inexperienced Bay Packers together with two first-round picks for Parsons, and Williams at defensive sort out, together with Osa Odighizuwa, who was signed to an $80 million contract in March.
Hours earlier than the deal for Williams, the Jets traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for 2026 and 2027 first-round choices and receiver AD Mitchell.
Williams, 28, was the third total choose within the 2019 draft and was chosen to the Professional Bowl for the 2021-23 seasons, which included time with present Cowboys defensive position coach Aaron Whitecotton. For his profession, he has 40 sacks, and this season has been credited with 32 tackles, a sack, 3 pressured fumbles and three quarterback hurries.
He additionally leads all defensive linemen with a 9.5% run cease proportion this season, based on ESPN Analysis.
In response to ESPN Analysis, Williams’ 40 sacks since coming into the NFL in 2019 ranks fifth amongst main defensive tackles over that point, behind Chris Jones (58.5), Aaron Donald (51.5), DeForest Buckner (50.5) and Cameron Heyward (45).
He’s signed via 2027 and is about to make $20.75 million — with $5 million assured — subsequent 12 months and $25.4 million in 2027. Clark can also be signed via 2027 and is due an $11 million roster bonus if he’s on the roster the third day of the 2026 league 12 months with an $8.8 million wage.
Williams wasn’t proud of the route of the Jets, sources informed ESPN’s Wealthy Cimini. When information broke in February that Aaron Rodgers was going to be launched, Williams tweeted: “One other rebuild 12 months for me I assume.” He later apologized for the tweet, expressing religion within the new regime.
Hope shortly light, because the Jets misplaced their first seven video games. Williams informed folks near him that he was pissed off by the dropping. That is his seventh 12 months, and he has but to expertise a successful season. He additionally wasn’t proud of the way in which he was getting used on protection. He recorded a sack on the primary defensive play of the season (in opposition to Rodgers) and hasn’t made one since.
Williams’ contract additionally loomed as a possible situation within the offseason for the Jets, as they anticipated him to demand a renegotiation that might’ve meant extra assured cash. As an alternative of investing more cash in him, they determined to be proactive in offloading him.
How the Cowboys incorporate the three defensive tackles into Matt Eberflus’ scheme will likely be of word. Nevertheless, the Cowboys confirmed extra of a five-man entrance vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Monday that shifted Odighizuwa’s positioning some.
Run protection has been a problem for the Cowboys for years, and the workforce hoped the addition of Clark would solidify it. Whereas Clark has held up, the Cowboys have allowed greater than 80 yards dashing in every recreation and not less than 119 yards on the bottom in six of them.
After Monday’s 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, workforce proprietor and basic supervisor Jerry Jones spoke of creating offers to assist the 2025 protection in addition to for the long run. It’s the most vital commerce deadline transfer the Cowboys have made since 2018, after they gave up a first-round choose to the Raiders for extensive receiver Amari Cooper.
The Cowboys ended up successful seven of their ultimate 9 video games to win the division and made it to the divisional spherical of the playoffs, with Cooper invigorating a passing recreation that had been dormant.
To be able to make the playoffs this 12 months, the trades for Williams and Wilson should do the identical, however the workforce nonetheless has points with its go protection.
The Cowboys are on their bye this week and return to motion Nov. 17 in opposition to the Raiders. Gamers have been scheduled to report back to The Star on Tuesday however will likely be off for the rest of the week.
Williams is anticipated to reach Wednesday.
The primary time Williams and Wilson will participate in a full observe will likely be subsequent week.
ESPN’s Wealthy Cimini contributed to this report.
