Dallas Cowboys, Quinnen Williams agree to massive three-year contract extension

The Cowboys ensured Williams would be at the center of their defense for years to come.

The Cowboys agreed to terms with star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on a three-year extension worth $105.9 million, multiple people familiar with the negotiations told The Dallas Morning News. The deal hadn't been officially signed as of Monday afternoon.

The Cowboys made a blockbuster trade for Williams last year with the idea he could be at the center of their defense for years to come. With more than a month before the season begins, they ensured it. Williams, who will receive $101 million guaranteed, is now signed with the Cowboys through 2030.

This is Williams' second extension in his career. The former third-overall pick became the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league when he signed an extension worth $24 million per season in 2023. Now, at 28 years old, he nets another major extension totaling an average annual value of $35.3 million per year in new money.

Williams' new deal is the latest in a ballooning defensive tackle market. His deal just edges the extension the Titans and Jeffrey Simmons signed earlier this offseason in terms of annual value. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has the highest-paid annual salary at the position, agreeing to a deal worth $38 million per year right before the start of training camp.

Executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said at the opening of training camp the club was working with Williams’ agents on an extension. Just shy of two weeks later, an agreement was in place.

“It’s a big part of all the moving parts that went with our trade last year,” Jones said on the team’s website. “I think this kind of, at the end of the day, puts a bow on top in terms of knowing that we’re going to have Q here for the next five years long term.”

The addition of Williams from the New York Jets provided an initial boost to one of the NFL’s worst defenses a year ago. The Cowboys won their first three games after the trade before a 44-30 loss to Detroit that started a season-ending run of four losses in five games as Dallas missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Cowboys had one of the league’s best offenses while finishing 7-9-1 in coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first season, and they spent the offseason overhauling the defense while believing Williams would be a centerpiece among the many changes.

Dallas hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker to replace Matt Eberflus, who was fired after one season when the Cowboys allowed the most points (511) with the fewest interceptions (six) in franchise history.

The Cowboys traded with Green Bay again to get pass rusher Rashan Gary, drafted safety Caleb Downs and defensive end Malachi Lawrence in the first round and added cornerback Cobie Durant and safeties P.J. Locke and Jalen Thompson in free agency.

Dallas also targeted linebacker, drafting Michigan pass rusher Jaishawn Barham with the belief he could play off the line of scrimmage and acquiring Dee Winters in a trade with San Francisco.

Williams is part of a returning group that includes fellow defensive tackle Kenny Clark — acquired in the Parsons deal — along with second-year defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr. and safety Malik Hooker.

The 28-year-old Williams was the third overall pick by the Jets in 2019 and was an All-Pro three years later despite the Jets’ 7-10 finish. Williams has yet to play on a winning team, and the former Alabama standout was quick to remind everyone after the trade that he’s still waiting for his first NFL playoff game.

“You’re just happy about it for a guy like that,” defensive line coach Marcus Dixon said. “Like he’s been rewarded for his hard work, the way he approaches the game, how he is with his teammates, his love for the game, how he’s always trying to perfect his craft. But he wants to win, and he’ll tell you that.”

Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.