The Dallas Cowboys paid a pretty penny to acquire Quinnen Williams in the middle of last year. The hope is that the return on investment will be better in 2026.
By his own admission, Williams didn’t have his greatest year in 2025. In 15 total games, he had 2.5 sacks, 53 tackles, an INT, three forced fumbles and 12 QB hits. He hasn’t had such a low number of sacks since his rookie season in 2019. After joining the Cowboys mid-year, he posted 1.5 sacks, 21 tackles, 9 QB hits and an INT in seven games.
“[I want to] continue to learn and grow every single year,” Williams said via the team’s official website. “I didn’t have my best year when it came down to it, statistically, as a runner last year. I want to be better. I want to do better, and not for myself, but for this team.
“And I know I can be better.”
For the Cowboys’ revamped defense to significantly improve, Williams must return to his dominant ways, controlling the middle of the defense, penetrating the backfield and generally wreaking havoc in the middle of the offense.
Williams believes new DC Christian Parker is setting him up to have a sensational season.
“You know, Christian Parker, man, it’s just amazing to be around a guy who’s worked at a high level everywhere he’s been,” Williams said. “And who’s been around for a minute on a great defense with great people, and just been able to learn from him in his philosophy. … From the defensive scheme and the defensive mentality, he’s extremely smart when it comes to the defense, how he looks at the game.
“It opened my eyes to when I could take my shots, when I can do certain things and constructive criticism from what he sees and what I need to work on from his perspective. And [also] what he thinks I can do better from his point of view – the respect he has for me that I have for him.”
The 28-year-old, returning to his All-Pro ways, would be a big piece of the Cowboys’ turnaround puzzle — one Dallas counted on when it gave up two high draft picks to acquire the star DT.