Cowboys' Quinnen Williams addresses relationship with Jets after report

Shortly after the New York Jets agreed to send star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, a report detailed how his relationship with the Jets allegedly deteriorated throughout 2025. 

While speaking with reporters for the first time as a member of the Cowboys, Williams confirmed he was happy to have received a fresh start. 

Jets "knew" Quinnen Williams wanted out

"They knew I was frustrated," Williams said about the Jets on Wednesday, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "I think the world knew I was frustrated being there so long and still losing. But like I say, any ultra-competitor, man, any guy who plays this game to win is going to be frustrated no matter if you win 100 games and lose that one, or when I was at 'Bama I went 16-1 and lost the national championship — I was frustrated."

The Jets selected Williams with the third overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, and Gang Green didn't have a single winning season during his time with the organization. In February, he didn't hide his frustration that first-year Jets general manager Darren Mougey and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn decided to part ways with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

According to NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY, the Jets' 0-7 start to the 2025 season made the Williams-Jets relationship "irreparable." Hughes also shared that Williams' "preferred destination" was the Cowboys.

"I still believe in what [Glenn] is doing there is going to be great for those guys," Williams added about the Jets. "And the leadership that he has and the things that he's doing there is going to be great for those guys, and the way that Darren has handled everything there is going to be great."

Quinnen Williams finds himself in unique situation with Cowboys

Unbeknownst to Williams, his last game with the Jets was on Oct. 26, ahead of their bye week. Meanwhile, his new team, the Cowboys, entered their bye after suffering a "Monday Night Football" loss to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping them to 3-5-1. Dallas next plays at the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17. 

"It's definitely weird," Williams said about his extended in-season break. "It's my first time getting traded, so it's definitely weird. I'm definitely attacking it like it's a game week for me; I'm just not playing on Sunday. I'm prepping, working out, training, conditioning hard like I'm preparing for a game, because I did have a bye last week. I'm trying to stay in game shape and doing the things that are necessary. When it's time for me to suit up and be ready for the Cowboys, I'll be ready."

The Cowboys sent the Jets a 2026 second-round draft pick, a 2027 first-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith in exchange for Williams' services. That says plenty about the expectations Dallas has for the three-time Pro Bowler during the second half.