Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is wrapped up by Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on a run.

Quinnen Williams wraps up Jahmyr Gibbs short of the line during the first half at Ford Field. Gibbs ran for three touchdowns on Dec. 4, 2025, as Detroit beat Dallas 44-30 and dropped the Cowboys to 6-6-1 in the NFC playoff race. (Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)

Dallas Cowboys, Quinnen Williams Agree To Three-Year, $105.9 Million Extension

Grant AfsethAugust 10, 2026August 10, 2026

DSJ Quick Take: Cowboys and Quinnen Williams Agree to Three-Year, $105.9 Million Extension

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth $105.9 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports Group negotiated the deal, which Rapoport reported is the largest third contract ever given to a defensive lineman.

What are the terms? Three years and $105.9 million, an average of $35.3 million per season in new money.
Who negotiated it? Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports Group, who spent Saturday’s practice in Oxnard on the field with the Cowboys’ salary cap chief.
What was Williams owed before this? He was signed through 2027 at $21.75 million this season and $25.5 million next, the back end of the four-year, $96 million deal he signed with the Jets in 2023.
What is next? Dallas holds a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday and opens the preseason at the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 15, with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT on NFL Network.

OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams have agreed to terms on a three-year extension worth $105.9 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday. The new money averages $35.3 million per season.

The contract guarantees a total of $101 million, with $63.35 million fully guaranteed at signing, as reported by Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. ESPN confirmed these figures and noted that the signing guarantee is the largest ever for a defensive tackle.

Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports Group negotiated the deal for Williams. Rapoport reported it is the largest third contract ever given to a defensive lineman. Lynn spent much of Saturday’s practice in Oxnard on the field with Adam Prasifka, the team’s senior director of salary cap and player contracts, and she also spoke with executive vice president Stephen Jones and other members of the front office.

What Quinnen Williams Was Owed Before The Extension

Williams entered Monday signed through the 2027 season. He was scheduled to earn $21.75 million in 2026 and $25.5 million in 2027, the back end of the four-year, $96 million extension he signed with the New York Jets in July 2023. That contract carried $66 million in guarantees and made him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league by average annual value at the time.

Jones said at the team’s July 28 opening press conference that training camp has historically been a workable window for Dallas to look at extensions, and that other players on the roster could get a look during camp as well.

“We’re very open to that,” Jones said. “We want Quinnen here for the long haul. Obviously, we’ve got a lot of resources tied up in it. He knows what we think about it. We’ve had some discussions with [his] agent about how to go about the process. But certainly he’s one of the best in the business and we know kind of what that market is. [It] obviously evolves and changes with each new deal, which is the case at any position. But certainly he’s at the top of the list in terms of people that we want to keep around here long term.”

The Defensive Tackle Market Moved Twice Before Cowboys Camp

Two extensions reset the position after Dallas acquired Williams. The Tennessee Titans signed Jeffery Simmons to a three-year deal worth $105.828 million, an average of $35.276 million per season. Simmons recorded 11.0 sacks and 67 tackles in 2025 and was named a first-team All-Pro.

The Philadelphia Eagles then extended Jalen Carter on July 28, the same day Cowboys camp opened. That contract runs four years and $152 million, with an average of $38 million per season and $106 million guaranteed. It is the largest deal ever given to a defensive tackle.

Dallas acquired Williams from the Jets on Nov. 4, 2025, sending a 2026 second-round pick, the better of its two 2027 first-round picks, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to New York. The 2026 selection became No. 44 overall. In March, the Cowboys traded Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 92 overall pick.

Quinnen Williams In Seven Games With Dallas

Williams was the third overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Alabama. He has been named to four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2022.

After the trade, Williams started all 7 games he played for Dallas. He finished with 21 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, and 1 interception. He played 275 defensive snaps, 65% of the team’s total over that stretch.

Across both teams in 2025, Williams played 15 games and recorded 53 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. Through seven seasons, he has 343 tackles and 41.5 sacks in 105 games.

The Cowboys allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025, last in the NFL. Christian Parker is in his first season as defensive coordinator after Matt Eberflus was fired.

Williams said last week that the current salaries at his position sit a long way from the stretch when the top players there earned around $17 million a year.

“It’s just phenomenal to see the impact that my position, defensive tackle, is making,” Williams said.

Dallas holds a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. The Cowboys open the preseason at the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 15, with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT on NFL Network. The regular season opens Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.