OXNARD, Calif. — When thinking of the Dallas Cowboys roster, the first names that come to mind are likely Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. However, the team’s overall top player is Quinnen Williams.The standout defensive tackle made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl last season. His value was made quite clear when the Cowboys had to surrender first- and second-round picks to acquire him in November. However, Williams has never made the playoffs in his seven-year career, most of it with the New York Jets. When he joined Dallas, Williams was part of arguably the NFL’s worst defensive unit.Despite the lack of team success on Williams’ resume, the Cowboys are well aware of his importance.Executive vice president Stephen Jones said Tuesday that Williams is “at the top of the list” of players they want to sign long-term. Williams has two years remaining on the four-year, $96 million contract extension he signed before the 2023 season. His average annual salary ranks 10th among all interior defensive linemen.Football is finally back at Cowboys training campJon MachotaHe was bumped down a spot Tuesday after Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter signed a record-breaking four-year, $152 million extension with $106 million guaranteed.However, with a potential new deal for Williams in the near future, he may not stay at No. 10 on the contract list.“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 him, and he knows what we think about him. We’ve had some discussions with the 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.”
Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams not focused on contract talks, wants to stay in Dallas
Despite the lack of team success on Williams’ resume, the Cowboys are well aware of his importance.













