The Dallas Cowboys made two major defensive additions before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets and linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Cowboys sent a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York in exchange for Williams, according to multiple reports. Williams, 27, was a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and has been selected to three Pro Bowls since being drafted third overall by the Jets in 2019.
Earlier Tuesday, Dallas traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to Cincinnati for Wilson, who had topped 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons. The 29-year-old linebacker had requested a trade after seeing a reduced role with the Bengals.
The moves reinforce a Dallas defense that has struggled through the first half of the season, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed. It also comes just one day after the Cowboys were embarrassed at home on Monday Night Football, losing 27-17 to the Arizona Cardinals.
Williams immediately becomes the anchor of a defensive front that has battled injuries and inconsistency, while Wilson adds depth and experience to a thin linebacker corps.
The trades come as the Cowboys sit below .500 and seek an immediate turnaround in the NFC East playoff race that is solidly in the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles through 9 weeks.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior Commanders Insider for SportsJourney.com. As a graduate of George Mason University, Forrest has spent the last eight years sharing his love for sports with listeners and viewers in the DC area and around the world. He hosts the “After Further Review Podcast” and has held numerous on-air and writing roles covering the DC area sports, Division 1 Basketball, and the NFL. His work has been featured on outlets like NBC Sports Washington, Fansided.com, Heavy.com and The Fourth Estate.
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