Quinnen Williams Continues His Dominant Run With the Dallas Cowboys

Impacting the Defense

It has been a little over a year since Dallas acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets for a 2026 second round pick and a 2027 first round pick. Since then, his presence on the defensive line has provided a massive boost.

Through nine games this season, Williams leads the Cowboys with five sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He also ranks second on the team with 29 quarterback hurries. Over his 16 total games in Dallas, he has recorded 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 62 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and one interception.

In last week's 27-23 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, Williams stepped up in key moments. He stopped Jonathan Taylor for a two yard loss in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble that Shemar James recovered. On the next drive, he stopped Taylor again for a one yard loss.

Leadership and Locker Room Respect

Off the field, Williams has built a strong voice. His teammates voted him a captain alongside defensive tackle Kenny Clark, quarterback Dak Prescott, and kicker Brandon Aubrey. He also serves on the player council that reports to head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Prescott noted that his locker is right next to Williams inside The Star. Prescott called him one of his favorite teammates of all time, saying he loves the game and plays it the right way every single snap.

Schottenheimer praised Williams as well. "If there's a better interior defensive lineman than him in the league, I haven't been around one in a long time," Schottenheimer said.

Setting a High Personal Standard

After signing a three year, $105 million extension during training camp, Williams made his goals clear. He wants to reach the playoffs for the first time in his career and win a Super Bowl. At 4-5, the Cowboys remain in the NFC East race.

Williams pointed to his 2022 season with the Jets as his personal standard. That year, he registered 12 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 28 quarterback pressures, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Williams said he is working on fixing small details to get back to that level. He remains focused on getting better each week to help the defense turn around and earn wins.

What it means for the next game

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (NFL, Sun, 15 Nov): Dallas Cowboys win 36%, San Francisco 49ers win 64%; projected score Dallas Cowboys 26, San Francisco 49ers 29. Our safest pick: Under 62.5 points.