For years, Quinnen Williams was the New York Jets‘ defensive building block.
He was one of the few bright spots for the struggling organization since he entered the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
That’s why it was a bit of a surprise to see him traded to the Dallas Cowboys at the NFL deadline.
That’s also why he took some time to send a heartfelt message on social media.
“New York will always have a special place in my heart. To my teammates, coaches, and the entire Jets organization, thank you for believing in me and helping me develop on and off the field. To the fans, thank you for embracing a kid from Alabama and showing love through every high and low. You welcomed me with open arms, and gave me a place to grow. Your energy and passion made every game unforgettable. I’m excited for what’s next in Dallas and can’t wait to get to work,” Williams wrote on X.
New York will always have a special place in my heart. To my teammates, coaches, and the entire Jets organization, thank you for believing in me and helping me develop on and off the field. To the fans, thank you for embracing a kid from Alabama and showing love through every…
— Quinnen Williams (@QuinnenWilliams) November 5, 2025
The Jets finally realized that they just can’t compete until they get their quarterback situation sorted out.
They had one of the best defenses in the NFL not so long ago, but it all fell apart as soon as they fired head coach Robert Saleh during last season.
Williams now goes from one dysfunctional organization with a meddling owner to another one.
The Cowboys have been better than the Jets recently, but it’s not like the bar was high.
Owner Jerry Jones wanted to bolster Dallas’ run defense, and the team is hoping that Williams can team up with Kenny Clark to control the middle of the field once and for all.
The Cowboys did take a risk because of the salary cap implications of the deal, not to mention trading away a first-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2026.
So, if this doesn’t work out, Williams might not necessarily pay off the way they hope.
NEXT: Mark Schlereth Doesn't Mince Words About Jets' Future