Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams could be on the verge of a huge payday.
The former Jet, acquired by Dallas through a trade in 2025, still has two years left on a four-year, $96 million deal, but “he’s at the top” of Jerry Jones’ contract talk list.
The Cowboys gave up a haul for Williams — a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith — and want him to stick around for longer than 2 1/2 years.
Williams, who spent over six years with the Jets after they selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, hopes for the same.
“I definitely want to be here for the long haul,” Williams said during a news conference on Wednesday.
“I definitely would love being here for the long haul, but I want to win, and that’s really the only thing I’m focused on is winning and getting this defense into the groove where we can win football games for this team.”
Winning is certainly possible for the Cowboys this year, largely because of an impressive defensive line.
Williams and Kenny Clark make for one of the best defensive tackle units in the league, while guys like DeMarvion Overshown and Donovan Ezeiruaku have shown ability to get after the passer.
In seven games with the Cowboys last season, Williams had 21 tackles, 1 1/2 assists, and one interception.
While winning is possible without a new contract, the trend of defensive tackles getting huge deals this offseason will surely help Williams’ negotiations. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones noted Tuesday that the club has interest in beginning negoations during training camp.
Most notably, Jalen Carter recently signed a four-year, $152 million extension with the Eagles and Jeffery Simmons a three-year, $105.8 million deal with the Titans.
“It’s just phenomenal to see the impact that my position, defensive tackle, is making,” Williams said. “You always see the teams that’re in the Super Bowl have D-tackles with Seattle, the Eagles and Kansas City in a few years. Those guys have been very effective and things like that.”
Defensive tackles such as the Buccaneers’ Vita Vea and the Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence II have also set precedents of demanding a trade when a desired number is not shown.
While the two years left on Williams’ contract lower his leverage, it is a possibility Jones and the Cowboys will at least think about.
