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Updated with full trade compensation. During the last 24 hours, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been teasing that the team had some moves up their sleeves. Earlier on Tuesday morning, the team acquired Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals. While that was a step in the right direction, that wasn’t a move that was going to shake up the entire NFL. That came later in the day, as Jones and the Cowboys pulled off a stunning trade as they acquired New York Jets star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams for a 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Blockbuster: The #Cowboys are trading for #Jets Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams, sending a first-round pick and more to NYJ, per The Insiders.A new home for one of the NFL’s best to team that values interior DLs, as NYJ builds for the future. pic.twitter.com/6sxKBn6Uux— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025 Williams has been one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL since he was drafted No. 3 by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was a First-team All-Pro in 2022, and has made the Pro Bowl all three years from 2022-2024. On the season, Williams has 32 tackles and 3 forced fumbles while constantly facing double-teams. The Cowboys traded Micah Parsons in the off-season to the Green Bay Packers, and brought back two first-round picks as well as defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Williams and Clark instantly form one of the best defensive tackles duos in the NFL. JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 15: Quinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets runs across the field during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Jacksonville, FL. This isn’t the first blockbuster deal the Jets made on Tuesday, as they also sent star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two-first round picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell. They are stockpiling first round picks in New York, and are going into a full rebuild. The loss on Monday Night Football to the Arizona Cardinals puts the Cowboys at 3-5-1 on the season. With the NFC being extremely competitive, it is going to take the Cowboys to nearly run the table if they are going to make the playoffs. However, Jones said he would be active in getting talent on the defense, and getting a guy like Williams is a monster get for the Cowboys. Dallas has an offense that can score with nearly team in the NFL, and the moves so far on Tuesday have given the defense a boost that can help them go on that late season run. For more on the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and trade deadline news, head to Newsweek Sports.
