Who Is Quinnen Williams?
Quinnen Williams is an NFL defensive tackle known for his strength, explosiveness and ability to disrupt plays from the interior defensive line. The former Alabama standout entered the NFL as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and initially built his reputation with the New York Jets.
However, his NFL story has changed significantly. Williams was traded by the Jets to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 season, and in August 2026 he agreed to a massive three-year, $105.9 million contract extension with Dallas. The deal reportedly includes $101 million in guarantees.
That means searches for “Quinnen Williams Jets” now primarily refer to his earlier NFL career, while his current team is the Cowboys.
Quinnen Williams Age
Quinnen Williams is 28 years old as of August 2026. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and developed into one of the country’s top interior defensive linemen at Alabama.
His relatively young age remains an important part of his value. Williams has already accumulated multiple Pro Bowl selections, a first-team All-Pro honor and major PFF recognition during his NFL career.
Quinnen Williams Position: DT
Williams plays defensive tackle (DT), lining up primarily on the interior of the defensive line.
His combination of size, power and quickness allows him to attack both the running game and opposing quarterbacks. Rather than relying solely on sacks, Williams can affect an offense by collapsing the pocket, occupying blockers and creating opportunities for teammates.
The NFL lists him as a defensive tackle, while PFF categorizes him as an interior defensive lineman. PFF currently lists Williams at 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds.
Quinnen Williams and the Jets
The Jets selected Williams third overall in 2019 after his breakout season at Alabama.
He spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with New York and became one of the most important players on the Jets’ defense. His best statistical season came in 2022, when he recorded 12 sacks and established himself as one of the league’s premier interior defenders.
Williams was named a Pro Bowler in 2022 and earned first-team All-Pro recognition that same season.
In 2023, the Jets secured their star defensive tackle with a four-year contract extension worth $96 million, including $66 million guaranteed.
That agreement represented a major investment in a player the Jets viewed as a cornerstone of their defense.
Quinnen Williams Contract Extension
There are two important Quinnen Williams contract extensions to know.
2023 Jets Extension
In July 2023, Williams agreed to a four-year, $96 million extension with the New York Jets. The deal included $66 million in guarantees.
The contract reflected his development from a high first-round pick into an established Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle.
2026 Cowboys Extension
Williams is no longer with the Jets.
After being traded to Dallas during the 2025 season, he received another enormous extension in August 2026. The Cowboys agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million contract extension, according to Reuters. The agreement includes $101 million guaranteed, with an average annual value of approximately $35.3 million.
The contract makes Williams one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in NFL history.
He is reportedly under contract with Dallas through the 2030 season.
Why Did the Jets Trade Quinnen Williams?
Williams’ departure from New York was one of the significant NFL trades of the 2025 season.
The Cowboys acquired the defensive tackle from the Jets in exchange for defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick.
The move ended Williams’ long run in New York despite the defensive tackle having previously signed a major extension with the Jets.
For Dallas, the trade provided an opportunity to add a proven interior defender. For the Jets, the move brought draft capital and a young defensive lineman in return.
Quinnen Williams PFF Grade
PFF has consistently viewed Williams as an elite interior defensive lineman.
His 2025 PFF overall grade was 88.8, which ranked second among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His 91.7 run-defense grade ranked first at the position.
PFF also credited Williams with:
- 51 total pressures
- 39 hurries
- 9 quarterback hits
- 3 sacks
- 39 solo tackles
- 2 forced fumbles
His 2025 performance demonstrates why teams continue to value him even when his sack totals are not among the NFL’s highest. His impact against the run and ability to generate pressure from the interior make him particularly valuable.
Quinnen Williams 2025 Stats
Williams played for both the Jets and Cowboys during the 2025 season.
According to NFL statistics, he finished the year with:
| Team | Games | Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | 8 | 31 | 1.0 |
| Cowboys | 7 | 21 | 1.5 |
| Total | 15 | 52 | 2.5 |
He also recorded a forced fumble and an interception during the season.
His seven games with Dallas produced 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks, according to Reuters.
Quinnen Williams Career Stats
Through seven NFL seasons, Williams has played 105 games.
NFL statistics credit him with 320 tackles, 41.5 sacks and 15 passes defended through the 2025 season.
His career totals highlight his ability to remain productive over multiple seasons while playing one of football’s most physically demanding positions.
Quinnen Williams College
Williams played college football at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban.
He joined the Crimson Tide as a highly regarded recruit and redshirted during his first season in 2016. He eventually became a full-time starter during the 2018 season.
His 2018 campaign transformed his draft stock.
Alabama’s official records show that Williams finished that breakout season with 66 tackles and 18 tackles for loss, while also earning unanimous first-team All-America recognition.
Quinnen Williams Outland Trophy
One of the biggest achievements of Williams’ college career was winning the 2018 Outland Trophy.
The award recognizes the nation’s top interior lineman, making it a particularly fitting honor for an eventual NFL defensive tackle.
Williams was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and earned first-team All-SEC honors.
His dominant season helped make him one of the top prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Quinnen Williams NFL Draft
The New York Jets selected Williams with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The selection came after his outstanding 2018 season at Alabama. The Jets viewed him as a potential centerpiece for their defensive line.
That investment eventually paid off as Williams developed into a Pro Bowl player and first-team All-Pro.
Quinnen Williams PFF Career
PFF’s evaluation helps explain why Williams has remained highly regarded beyond traditional box-score statistics.
PFF named him to its PFF101 list in 2020, 2022 and 2023. He also earned PFF second-team All-Pro recognition in 2022 and 2023.
His 2025 PFF profile is particularly impressive because his run-defense grade ranked first among qualified interior defensive linemen.
That combination of run defense and interior pressure makes Williams more than simply a sack specialist.
Quinnen Williams Current Team
As of August 2026, Quinnen Williams plays for the Dallas Cowboys, not the New York Jets.
The Cowboys acquired him during the 2025 season and subsequently rewarded him with the three-year, $105.9 million extension announced in August 2026.
His new contract demonstrates Dallas’ belief that Williams can remain a dominant defensive presence for years to come.
What Makes Quinnen Williams So Good?
Williams’ biggest strength is his ability to create disruption from the middle of the defensive line.
He combines:
- Explosive first-step quickness
- Excellent lower-body power
- Strong run defense
- Interior pass-rush ability
- The ability to defeat blocks
- Experience in multiple defensive schemes
His PFF numbers also show that his impact cannot be measured by sacks alone. His 91.7 run-defense grade in 2025 was the best among qualified interior defensive linemen.
Quinnen Williams FAQs
How old is Quinnen Williams?
Quinnen Williams is 28 years old as of August 2026.
What position does Quinnen Williams play?
He plays defensive tackle (DT) and is classified by PFF as an interior defensive lineman.
Is Quinnen Williams still on the Jets?
No. Williams was traded from the Jets to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 season.
What was Quinnen Williams’ Jets contract?
The Jets signed Williams to a four-year, $96 million extension with $66 million guaranteed in 2023.
What is Quinnen Williams’ new contract?
In August 2026, the Cowboys agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with Williams, including $101 million guaranteed.
What is Quinnen Williams’ PFF grade?
His 2025 overall PFF grade was 88.8, ranking second among qualified interior defensive linemen. His run-defense grade was 91.7, ranking first.
Where did Quinnen Williams go to college?
Williams played college football at Alabama. He became a standout starter in 2018 and won the Outland Trophy.
When was Quinnen Williams drafted?
The New York Jets selected Williams third overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Final Takeaway
Quinnen Williams’ career has taken another major turn in 2026. The former No. 3 overall pick developed into a premier defensive tackle with the Jets, earned first-team All-Pro honors and signed a $96 million extension with New York in 2023.
After being traded to Dallas in 2025, Williams has now secured an even larger three-year, $105.9 million Cowboys extension.
His PFF numbers underline the reason for that investment: an 88.8 overall grade and NFL-best 91.7 run-defense grade among qualified interior defensive linemen in 2025.
From his Outland Trophy-winning season at Alabama to becoming one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackles, Williams has established himself as one of the league’s premier interior defenders.
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