DT Quinnen Williams Open To Cowboys Extension

Williams was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline in a move which ended his run with the Jets. Dallas sent first- and second-round picks along with Mazi Smith to New York for the four-time Pro Bowler, who handled full-time starting duties upon arrival with his new team. Williams is under contract for the next two years, although none of his scheduled base salary for 2027 ($25.4MM) is guaranteed.

“I’m not really focused on no contract,” the 28-year-old said (via The Athletic’s Jon Machota) while noting he would be open to a lengthy stay in Dallas. “I definitely would enjoy and love being here for the long haul, but I want to win, and that’s kind of the only thing I’m really focused on is winning and getting this defense into the groove where we can win football games.”

Success has proven hard to come by for Williams at the NFL level. He has played seven seasons in the league but never been a member of a playoff team to date. If that is to change, the Cowboys will need to remain one of the league’s most productive offensive units while drastically improving on defense in 2026. Williams – who managed 19 pressures and nine QB hits in his first seven Dallas games – will have a critical role to play in that regard.

The Cowboys still have Kenny Clark in place at the defensive tackle spot. The former Packer was part of the package sent to Dallas in the Micah Parsons blockbuster, but his presence did not solve the issue of poor play along the defensive line. Williams was brought into the fold using some of the capital added in the Parsons trade. He and Clark are set to occupy first-team roles, while Osa Odighizuwa is no longer in the fold since he was traded to the 49ers this spring.

The defensive tackle market jumped to a new height of $35.2MM this offseason when Jeffery Simmons inked a Titans extension. Earlier this week, Jalen Carter moved the bar once again by agreeing to an Eagles deal averaging $38MM per season. Williams’ current AAV is $24MM, so room exists for a bump in pay without resetting the position’s financial landscape along the way. It remains to be seen if the Cowboys will pursue a deal in time for Week 1, but in any case a Williams extension will be something to watch for moving forward.