What does Quinnen Williams trade mean for Jets, Cowboys?

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones announced a trade Monday night and on Tuesday morning they acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals, which didn’t exactly shake things up.

However, about two hours before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, Dallas made a splash by acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.

Dallas traded a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick (the better of the Cowboys’ two picks after acquiring one in the Micah Parsons trade) and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York to complete the trade for Williams, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Williams, 27, was drafted No. 3 by the Jets in 2019 and is under contract through 2027.

The Cowboys are 3-5-1 after losing 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, putting their playoff hopes in dire straits, well behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles (6-2).

Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Jets reporter Rich Cimini and NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller analyze the trade from myriad angles, including what it means for the Cowboys’ future and why the Jets let Williams go.

Did Dallas essentially trade Micah Parsons for Williams, considering what they gave up and got in return?

Archer: Have you forgotten Kenny Clark? The Cowboys are not. They have praised him since he joined the Parsons trade with the Packers. They may have to do something with his contract in 2026, but he is seen as part of the solution.

Parsons is one of the few who can single-handedly destroy a game. A defensive tackle, even one as good as Williams, doesn’t do things the same way. Getting rid of Smith is a plus since he added little.

They still have three first-round picks over the next two years, which is a bonus. The Cowboys are still able to improve a roster that needs improvement.

What does the trade mean for the DT rotation with Williams, Clark and Osa Odighizuwa?

Archer: If you’re paying that much money for three defensive tackles to be in a rotation, then that’s a bad decision. This could mean a change in how the Cowboys use all three tackles at the same time. In Monday’s loss to the Cardinals, they used a five-man front to better plug some of their holes.

Odighizuwa has more positional flexibility than the other two, but that doesn’t mean the Cowboys would switch to a 3-4 scheme instead of the 4-3 they’ve used for years. This simply opens up the possibility for them to modify their facades.

Why did the Jets trade Williams?

Cimini: It was a decision on many levels. Let’s start with the compensation: The Jets felt this was a no-brainer, especially since the 2027 first-round pick is the higher of Dallas’ two first-round picks that year.

The Jets think highly of Williams, who they signed to a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, but he hasn’t been as dynamic as he was in 2022 (career-high 12 sacks). Williams, frustrated by seven years of losing, was unhappy with the direction the franchise was taking, sources said. He also didn’t like the way he was used in Steve Wilks’ defense, according to sources.

His contract, which runs through 2027, could have become an issue this offseason, as Williams likely would have pushed for a renegotiation.

What do all these trades mean for the Jets defense?

Cimini: In 2023, the Jets had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Not anymore, not even close. Williams and Sauce Gardner, traded to the Colts on Tuesday, were their two most accomplished defenders. These trades mark a two-year talent drain that saw them lose, cut or trade some of their best players.

The defense was already struggling this season (27th in points allowed); there are now significant holes. Young players such as cornerback Azareye’h Thomas, linebacker Kiko Mauigioa, cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers and Smith (acquired in the Williams trade) will be pushed into key roles.

Bottom line: this is a major rebuild.

Does this deal solve the Cowboys’ biggest defensive problems?

Archer: No, because the whole defense has problems. As far as I know, Williams can’t cover wide receivers or tight ends. But it helps. He has pass-rushing ability, as evidenced by his 12-sack season in 2022. He is considered one of the best defensive tackles in football. Stopping the run is vital for a defense, and the Cowboys’ D-run has been mediocre, allowing 119 yards or more over their last six games.

But the points come from the passing game and they allowed 30 passing plays of 20 yards or more. Their third-down defense is currently the worst in the league. Until they can get a consistent pass rush paired with better coverage – man or zone – on the back end, the quarterbacks could still have a field day on this defense.

How does the trade affect the Cowboys salary cap?

Archer: Don’t get carried away with the actual numbers, as teams can move money around whenever and however they want.

Perhaps the Cowboys will have to make a decision on Clark by March, as he will receive an $11 million bonus on the third day of the league year. Paying three defensive tackles at least $20 million seems a bit much.

The Cowboys can always restructure the contracts of QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, G Tyler Smith, TE Jake Ferguson and/or CB DaRon Bland to create space, although it might be best to leave Prescott’s deal untouched even with a $74 million cap hit in 2026. They can also give up some players to create space (Trevon Diggs, Terence Steele).

Right now, they have plenty of cap space to be active in free agency, but that changes to some extent if they place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens.

Dallas has two first-round picks remaining for 2026, what are some early targets to keep in mind?

Miller: The 2026 draft class fits Dallas’ needs very well at positions such as running back, linebacker and potentially No. 2 receiver if Pickens isn’t re-signed or tagged. At running back, Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love is the only first-round prospect, and it’s likely he’ll be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. Love’s speed on the open field results in big play after big play – like his 94-yard touchdown run last weekend. He would be the answer to Dallas’ difficulties during the run game.

Defensively, could Dallas replace Parsons with another linebacker/edge rusher hybrid from the Big 10? Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is a standout with the same skills, but more pop and power to his game as a college prospect. He will probably make the top 10 as well.

As for receivers, my top pass catcher in the class is Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, a deep threat who would replicate much of what Pickens brought to Dallas’ offense. He is considered a likely top-15 pick in the first round.