The Dallas Cowboys ' defense needed a hero following a 3-5-1 start to the 2025 season that was accentuated by a deflating 27-17 "Monday Night Football" loss against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. The absence of All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons following owner and general manager Jerry Jones' decision to trade him away to the Green Bay Packers a week before the 2025 has certainly been felt through the first half of the year.

After never winning more than seven games in a season with the Jets, new Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams shared his eagerness to rack up some victories in Dallas.

Dallas traded its 2026 second-round, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets for Williams. Signed through 2027, Williams will average $24 million per season, making him the sixth-highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL.

Prior to Tuesday's deadline, the Jacksonville Jaguars were reportedly "active" in exploring a trade for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, according to Jordan Schultz. The Jets ended up trading Williams to the Dallas Cowboys,