The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2026 offseason with a clear directive: fix the defense. The hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator is a big first step, but it’s only the beginning.
One position that needs a serious upgrade? Linebacker.
And there’s a name that keeps surfacing in league circles - Quincy Williams.
Let’s rewind for a second. The Cowboys didn’t get what they needed from their linebacker corps in 2025.
Production was inconsistent, athleticism in the middle of the field was lacking, and the unit as a whole struggled to keep pace with today’s faster, more dynamic offenses. That’s why Quincy Williams makes a lot of sense.
The Cowboys were actually in on him before. According to league reports, Dallas explored a deal with the Jets that would’ve brought both Williams brothers - Quinnen and Quincy - to the Lone Star State before the trade deadline.
That deal didn’t materialize, and the Cowboys pivoted to Logan Wilson. But that move didn’t exactly pan out.
Wilson played just 224 defensive snaps over the final eight weeks of the season, finishing with 24 tackles and a subpar 52.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. Not the impact Dallas was hoping for.
Quincy, on the other hand, brings a different level of energy. With the Jets, he’s built a reputation as a high-motor, sideline-to-sideline linebacker who plays with speed and aggression.
Over five seasons in New York, he racked up 554 total tackles, 58 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 27 pass deflections. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2023 - a season that showcased just how disruptive he can be when he’s locked in.
This past year wasn’t quite as smooth. Under head coach Aaron Glenn, Quincy saw a dip in usage and was even benched briefly.
Still, he finished third on the team in total tackles with 83, proving that even in a down year, he’s capable of making plays. And make no mistake - he’s still got that game-changing ability.
There’s also a personal element here. Quincy and Quinnen have spoken openly about how much they valued their time together in New York.
Reuniting in Dallas would be a meaningful move for both - and it wouldn’t hurt morale in the locker room either. Quinnen, now a foundational piece of the Cowboys’ defense, would undoubtedly welcome the chance to play alongside his brother again.
Financially, Spotrac projects Quincy’s market value around a one-year, $9.2 million deal. That’s a reasonable price tag for a linebacker with his résumé and skill set, especially for a team that desperately needs more juice in the middle of the field. And while you never quite know how the Jones family will approach the offseason, there's no denying that interest was - and likely still is - there.
The Cowboys need more speed, more physicality, and more consistency at linebacker. Quincy Williams checks all those boxes. He’s a proven veteran with elite athletic traits and the kind of edge that fits what Christian Parker is trying to build.
If Dallas circles back next month and makes a run at Quincy in free agency, it wouldn’t just be a feel-good story. It’d be a smart football move - one that could help solidify the second level of a defense looking to take the next step.