Jets trading Quinnen Williams to Cowboys in second trade deadline blockbuster

The Jets were not done with the Sauce Gardner trade.

They also are finalizing a trade that would send three-time Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys, according to a source. The Jets are getting a 2026 second-rounder, 2027 first-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith from Dallas, per multiple reports.

Williams, the Jets’ 2019 first-round draft pick, has been a key piece of the Jets defense since his arrival. He has gone to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and was first-team All-Pro in 2022. 

There have been rumors about Williams being unhappy with the Jets all season as they have trudged to a 1-7 record this season. Williams has never experienced a winning season in his seven years with the Jets and it has clearly worn on him.

The move came less than two hours after the Jets traded Gardner to the Colts. Gardner and Williams were considered by most to be the two best players on the Jets defense and in the top three overall on the team along with receiver Garrett Wilson. 

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By trading both of them, the Jets have signaled they are entering a full rebuild under new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. They received two first-round picks from the Colts for Gardner and if it is accurate they received another first-rounder from the Cowboys, that would give them five first-round picks in the next two years. 

The Jets are expected to take a quarterback in the first round and this will help them make a move up if they need to in the Draft and/or surround that player with talent.