The Dallas Cowboys have made a monumental splash before the NFL trade deadline. And no, we're not talking about Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, whom they acquired early Tuesday.
The Cowboys have reportedly traded for New York Jets standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The trade details are still being finalized, but the understanding is that Dallas is sending a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to New York.
The first-rounder going to the Jets is the Cowboys', not the Packers, per Rapoport. It is an expensive price to pay, but the Cowboys desperately needed an influx of talent to their defense, and Williams will be part of the solution for years to come.
Cowboys send shockwaves around the NFL with blockbuster Quinnen Williams trade
All told, getting three years of a prime Quinne Williams, who's only 27 years old, without giving up your two first-round picks in 2026 is really good business. The media will poke fun at Jerry Jones for giving up too much for a good player, but that is just how the cookie crumbles in Dallas. Make no mistake: this is a trade that should have Eagles, Giants, and Commanders fans throwing a fit.
Williams isn't enough to save the Cowboys' defense this year. Not even Micah Parsons could manage an assignment that daunting. But his presence will give Dallas a really strong chance of jumping back into contention in 2026 after an offseason spent overhauling and investing in the defense.
In a vacuum, Williams is one of the five best interior defenders in the sport. He's made Pro Bowls in three consecutive seasons. His arrival surely means that one of Kenny Clark or Osa Odighizuwa will be gone after the season, but that's a worthwhile sacrifice to bring in a player of Williams' caliber.
If nothing else, the Cowboys just got way more interesting for the rest of the season. And if they don't end up making the playoffs, their future suddenly looks pretty darn bright.