Cowboys Reportedly Pursued Quinnen Williams' Brother Quincy in Jets Trade Talks

Before acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets at Tuesday's trade deadline, the Dallas Cowboys reportedly were hoping to make it a family affair.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported, "I heard that at one point, the Cowboys were talking to the Jets about a deal that would have sent Dallas both Williams brothers -- Quinnen and linebacker Quincy Williams. But that didn't work out, and the Cowboys pivoted to former [Cincinnati] Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson."

The Cowboys paid a steep price to acquire Quinnen Williams, sending a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets. While it only took a 2026 seventh-round pick to acquire Wilson from Cincinnati, it's likely that it would've cost more for Dallas if New York added Quincy Williams to the deal.

While he isn't as decorated as his three-time Pro Bowl brother, Quincy Williams is no slouch. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2023 after finishing the year with career highs of 139 total tackles and 10 passes defended. He's missed four games this year due to a shoulder injury, but he's still one of the top performers on a Jets defense that has struggled to find consistency throughout the season.

Despite Quincy Williams' reliable production level, his future in New York is murky, as he's set to be a free agent at the end of the year. Many expected the Jets to trade him at the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing, but they shocked the football world when they shipped away his brother.

In addition to trading Quinnen Williams, New York raised eyebrows even further when it sent star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for a trade package that included two first-round picks. The deals officially sent the Jets into yet another rebuild, so it would be a surprise if they choose to re-sign Quincy Williams to a big-money contract before he hits the open market.

As for the Cowboys, adding two new starters to their defense could help turn things around following their 3-5-1 start to the season. Dallas is hoping to return to the postseason after falling short in 2024, and it will have time to work Williams and Wilson into the game plan during the Week 10 bye before returning to action against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football on Nov. 17.