First-team All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was a surprising mid-season trade to the Dallas Cowboys from the New York Jets last year.
Williams signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Jets in 2023, keeping him under contract with the Cowboys through the 2027 season.
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On Friday, Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension, with $100 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history.
After Simmons’ contract extension was announced, Williams shared the news on his Instagram, tagging Simmons and adding a salute emoji.
Cowboys analyst Clarence Hill Jr. took note of this, viewing it as Williams making it clear that he’s paying attention to the market and wants a similar deal from Jerry Jones.
“None of this was lost on Quinnen Williams. His eyes are wide open. He knows what’s up,” Hill wrote. “The Cowboys are going to have to make him right.”
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After a national championship-winning college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Williams was selected No. 3 overall by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best defensive tackles in the league, earning All-Pro honors in 2022 and becoming a four-time Pro Bowler.
The Cowboys sent a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets to acquire Williams in a blockbuster trade last year.
In an interview during the Cowboys’ minicamp last week, Williams detailed his determination to ramp up his production on the field next season under the team’s new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker.
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“I want to continue to learn and grow every single year,” Williams said. “I didn’t have my best year when it came down to it, statistically, as a pass rusher last year. I wanna be better. I wanna do better, and not for myself, but for this team. And I know I can be better.
“It’s been fun, man. Being with the organization a full offseason, seeing how things work, how things go here, getting the chance to work with some great people, and some great guys in the locker room. We get to learn more about each other, and get to push each other, hold each other accountable, and just grow and learn as a player myself.”
Williams finished last season with 53 total tackles (26 solo), 12 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception, earning a PFSN Defensive Tackle Impact score of 89.9, good for No. 4 in the league.