Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams played against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 5. In his next game, the former Alabama All-American will play for the Cowboys.
On Tuesday, Dallas sent a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the New York Jets to acquire Williams a few hours before the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Dallas got “a difference-maker” in Williams.
“We were very aware of when he was out of the game,” Schottenheimer said about Dallas’ 37-22 victory over the Jets during his Tuesday press conference. “I think I said to you guys the big touchdown to (wide receiver George) Pickens on (cornerback) Sauce Gardner, he was out of the game. We knew he was out of the game, so we were comfortable with a protection that maybe when he was in there, we weren’t going to be as excited about running.
“But, I mean, just the guy, he’s got size, he’s got speed, he’s got a play style that fits what we want to do. And just a great addition.”
Besides its recent exposure to Williams, Dallas had inside information about the former Wenonah High School standout. Aaron Whitecotton, the Cowboys’ defensive-line coach, held that position with the Jets for the previous four seasons. In those campaigns, Williams earned three Pro Bowl selections and made first-team All-Pro once.
“You’re aware when he’s in the game because he’s just so disruptive,” Schottenheimer said. “So we had alerting calls when he was out of the game. We had to set protections based on him. And you guys see it. You see the talent. But I love the play style, too. Just the way the guy plays, the way the guy runs to the football. And then, from what I’ve heard from A-Dub, just the type of young man he is. I think he’ll fit in great in this locker room.”
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For the Cowboys this season, defensive tackles Kenny Clark has played 418 snaps, Osa Odighizuwa 377 and Solomon Thomas 275.
“It’s more of a rotational thing,” Schottenheimer said of adding Williams to the mix. “I mean, these guys are all on a pitch count in terms of you don’t want to overdo them because you want them to be fresh when they need to go, so I don’t think you can ever have enough good ones. And we certainly have the depth to be able to give these guys blows when they need blows, and the way they run to the ball is important to us.”
Dallas also obtained linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in a trade on Tuesday. The newest Cowboys will have some extra time to adjust. Dallas has its open date this week. The Cowboys’ next game is on Nov. 17, when they play the Las Vegas Raiders.
Because the Jets are coming out of their bye week, Williams will go three weeks between games.
“They’ll both be coming through here for physicals,” Schottenheimer said, “and we’ll get them the things that they need, the iPads and stuff like that. But they’re both veteran players. They both have played a lot of football. Quinnen certainly has a history in the attack front. We’ll get them up to speed, and both guys, I think, should be fast-learners and pick it up pretty quick and you should expect to see them make a fast transition.”
The Cowboys will carry a 3-5-1 record into their game with the Raiders after losing their past two contests.
“We don’t have room for error,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re in a situation now where every game’s critical and we got to win games. And it starts by figuring some stuff out this week from a self-scout standpoint. That’s where the focus is right now. The players are going to kind of reset, recharge. But we’ve got a week to figure out a lot of things and also now how to use and acclimate these guys to the team.”
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