FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Quinnen Williams has never won in the NFL, and that every decision the defensive tackle makes for the Dallas Cowboys runs through that.
Williams was voted a defensive captain Thursday morning alongside Kenny Clark.
“So I will announce the four captains that were just selected this morning for the 2026 NFL season,” Schottenheimer said. “On defense, you have Quinnen Williams. On defense, you have Kenny Clark. On offense, you have Dak Prescott. And on special teams, you have Brandon Aubrey.”
Williams worked with the Cowboys’ young linemen and young defenders through the spring and camp, and Schottenheimer said he was heavily involved in the way the defense was built and taught.
“From the minute he got here, he’s been about one thing, and it’s winning,” Schottenheimer explained. “He’s never won in the NFL. And the leadership is real. The talent’s incredible. But every decision that guy makes is based on what’s best for us winning. And I love that about him. And it’s infectious. It rubs off.”
“And I love hearing him talk to the young linemen and the young defenders,” Schottenheimer added. “And he was very, very, very involved in some of the things that we did from helping the defense grow and learn and all that stuff. So terrific young man, great dad. He and Miranda are great parents. And I’m just thrilled to have him here, man.”
Quinnen Williams’ Seven Seasons With The New York Jets
The Jets took Williams third overall in the 2019 draft out of Alabama. He played 98 games there with 94 starts and 40 sacks. New York did not reach the playoffs in any of his seven seasons.
Dallas acquired Williams at the 2025 trade deadline. He played seven games for the Cowboys, starting all of them, with 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. He logged 275 defensive snaps in that stretch.
Williams made his fourth Pro Bowl last season and was a three-time captain with the Jets.
Quinnen Williams’ Dallas Cowboys Contract
Three weeks ago, Dallas signed Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million extension that runs through 2030 with $101 million guaranteed.
He was one of five Cowboys named to the Pro Bowl last season, a group that also included Dak Prescott, George Pickens, guard Tyler Smith, and kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Williams turns 29 in December. The Cowboys open the regular season Sept. 13 at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
