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The Dallas Cowboys and veteran defensive tackle Quinnen Williams agreed to a three-year extension prior to the start of the 2026 NFL season that will make him one of the highest-paid players at his position.
Williams agreed to an extension worth $105.9 million, including $101 million in guaranteed money and $63.35 million guaranteed at signing. He is also getting a signing bonus worth $31.85 million.
Williams, who has made the last four Pro Bowls, was traded to the Cowboys before the deadline last season in a blockbuster deal with the New York Jets.
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Quinnen Williams of the Dallas Cowboys smiles during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, Calif., on Aug. 3, 2026. (Getty Images)
The Jets, who were in the middle of another lackluster season, decided to trade away Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts), parting ways with two top four NFL Draft choices as they continue to rebuild.
Williams’ trade was interesting considering the Jets inked him to a four-year extension worth $96 million with $66 million guaranteed in 2023. The Jets acquired a second-round pick in 2026, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith in exchange for Williams.
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Now, the Cowboys have one of the best at the position locked in through the 2030 campaign – a priority that team executive vice president Stephen Jones mentioned at the start of training camp.
Williams became the fourth defensive tackle to sign a deal averaging more than $30 million per season, joining the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter (four years, $152 million), Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons (three years, $105.8 million), and Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones (five years, $158.75 million).
Quinnen Williams of the Dallas Cowboys participates in Pro Bowl team practice during the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center South in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 2, 2026. (Getty Images)
And the Cowboys have not been shy about flexing their finances, as fellow defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa was signed to a four-year, $80 million extension to remain a key piece on defense next to Williams.
With Kenny Clark, who was acquired in the Micah Parsons trade to the Green Bay Packers, and Rashan Gary, the former Packers defensive end who joined the team in free agency this offseason, also on board for the Cowboys, they have a revamped defense that can match the firepower their offense clearly showcased in Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach in 2025.
In his seven games with Dallas last season, Williams tallied 21 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits.
Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 26, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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For his career, Williams has totaled 343 combined tackles – 62 for loss – 41.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and earned a First Team All-Pro nod during his breakout 2022 campaign with the Jets, where he had 12 sacks.
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