WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott did not have to wait long to see Quinnen Williams after the defensive tackle secured his future in Dallas.
Williams was back on the field Tuesday for the Cowboys’ joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams, one day after Dallas agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with him. The deal keeps Williams under contract through the 2030 season.
Schottenheimer said keeping Williams long-term was part of what Dallas had in mind when it acquired him from the New York Jets last November.
“I think we should probably keep that contract. I think that was a good contract for us,” Schottenheimer said with a laugh. “Thrilled about him. What he’s brought to this team from a leadership standpoint can’t be talked about enough. He wanted to be here, it was all part of the grand scheme.”
“We had the big trade to try to figure out something like that,” Schottenheimer continued. “Couldn’t be happy enough for him.”
Williams, 28, was the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He has made four consecutive Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Prescott said Williams’ impact has gone beyond what the quarterback sees when Dallas’ offense lines up against him in practice.
“Super blessed, super thankful,” Prescott said. “One of the best I’ve been around. Obviously, between the lines when you watch on the field, just what he’s able to do. We’re always talking about the halo rule, and the guy just is always in the halo, and I don’t think he can help it. He just gets there, and he gets there so fast. That’s what he knows is getting to the quarterback. It makes practice fun.”
“But at the same time, he’s exactly the leader that you want,” Prescott continued. “Exactly the leader that when he speaks, it’s heard, but he doesn’t have to say anything and he’s leading every moment that he steps into the building by the way that he carries himself and just being a pro’s pro. To get him locked in for an extended time is everything… Super happy about that.”
What The Dallas Cowboys Committed To Quinnen Williams
Williams had two seasons remaining on the four-year extension he signed with New York in 2023. The three new years added by Dallas take the contract through 2030.
The extension includes $101 million in total guarantees and $63.35 million fully guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN. Williams’ $35.3 million average annual value ranks second among NFL defensive tackles behind Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The agreement came after Williams made his preference clear throughout training camp. He wanted to stay in Dallas.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones had also described Williams as “part of our foundation” before the deal was completed.
“It’s a big part of all the moving parts that went with our trade last year,” Jones said. “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.”
What The Dallas Cowboys Paid To Acquire Quinnen Williams
The Cowboys acquired Williams from the New York Jets at the 2025 trade deadline. Dallas sent New York defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick, and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.
Williams played 7 games for Dallas after the trade. He recorded 21 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception before earning his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection.
He also finished the full 2025 season sixth among NFL defensive tackles with 45 quarterback pressures while facing a double team on 40.2% of his snaps. His 19 run stuffs led the league.
The extension gives Dallas five more seasons with Williams after paying significant draft capital to acquire him.
Quinnen Williams Remains Central To Cowboys’ Defensive Overhaul
Williams returns to a defense that looks considerably different from the one Dallas finished last season with.
The Cowboys allowed 511 points in 2025 and 30.1 per game, the highest mark in the NFL. Dallas also finished last in passing yards allowed per game.
Christian Parker replaced Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator in January. Dallas then used both of its 2026 first-round selections on defense, moving up to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 before selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23.
The Cowboys also reshaped the veteran personnel around Williams. Kenny Clark remains alongside him inside, while Dallas added Rashan Gary on the edge and Jalen Thompson at safety.
Williams is also one of four defensive representatives on Schottenheimer’s 11-man leadership council.
Tuesday gave the rebuilt group its first work against another offense this summer. Williams was among the Cowboys defenders who generated pressure against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during a session in which Dallas’ defense produced more than five would-be sacks.
What’s Next For The Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys return to Oxnard for the remaining portion of their West Coast training camp.
Dallas opens the preseason Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.
The Cowboys then return to California before hosting the New Orleans Saints for a joint practice in Oxnard on Aug. 18.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22 and closes the preseason against New Orleans at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 28.
