Dallas Cowboys Acquire Star Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams in Major Trade with New York Jets
The Dallas Cowboys completed a significant trade with the New York Jets, acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in exchange for multiple draft picks and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Overview
- The Dallas Cowboys acquired star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets in a significant player and draft pick exchange.
- To secure Williams, the Cowboys sent their 2023 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick to the Jets.
- As part of the trade package, the Dallas Cowboys also included defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who will now join the New York Jets roster.
- The New York Jets specifically received the higher of the Cowboys' two 2027 first-round picks, along with the other assets, for Quinnen Williams.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had previously hinted at a major trade before the team's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, indicating a strategic move to bolster their defensive line.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by adopting a highly evaluative "winners and losers" narrative. They use loaded language to critique team management, particularly Jerry Jones's "original sin" of trading Micah Parsons, and emphasize the Jets' "bottoming out" status. This editorial approach shapes the trade as a series of subjective successes and failures rather than a neutral transaction.
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Center (2)
FAQ
The Jets traded Quinnen Williams due to a deteriorating relationship, including his requests for a trade on three occasions and conflicts following the team's decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers, along with criticism from the Jets coach Aaron Glenn.
The Cowboys traded away their 2023 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick (specifically the higher of their two picks that year), and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to acquire Quinnen Williams from the Jets.
Quinnen Williams adds strong run-stopping and interior pass-rushing ability, which the Cowboys needed to bolster their defensive line and improve their defensive performance.
Jerry Jones had previously hinted at a major defensive trade before the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals, suggesting a strategic move to strengthen their defensive line, which materialized with the acquisition of Quinnen Williams.
The trade shows the Cowboys prioritizing immediate improvement to their defense by acquiring a star defensive tackle, possibly sacrificing future draft capital to address current team needs and enhance competitiveness despite a 3-5-1 record.
History
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