Jerry Jones Reveals Bold Trade Pitch for Quinnen Williams Before Micah Parsons Deal Took Shape
Jerry Jones has never been one to shy away from a headline, and on Tuesday, the Cowboys owner and general manager pulled back the curtain on a blockbuster trade proposal that never made it past the drawing board. Speaking on Dallas sports radio, Jones confirmed he had floated a deal to the New York Jets before the season - one that would’ve sent star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to New York in exchange for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams plus a first-round pick.
Let’s pause there. That’s not your everyday trade talk.
That’s a franchise-altering offer involving two of the league’s premier defensive talents and a first-rounder on top. According to Jones, the pitch came during training camp, but the Jets didn’t bite.
“I tried to make the trade by giving Micah to the Jets and getting Quinnen and a first-round draft pick coming back to us,” Jones said. “That’s what I wanted in training camp, and we couldn’t get that done.”
The Cowboys eventually pivoted. In late August, they dealt Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, landing two first-round picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Green Bay wasted no time locking up Parsons, handing him a four-year, $188 million deal with $136 million guaranteed - a clear signal they view him as a cornerstone piece.
Meanwhile, Dallas circled back to Quinnen Williams closer to the trade deadline. This time, they got their man.
The Cowboys acquired Williams from the Jets just ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline, giving up a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Since arriving in Dallas, Williams has played a key role in three straight wins, helping the Cowboys climb to 6-5-1.
So why such a strong push for Williams in the first place? Jones didn’t mince words.
“In my mind, Quinnen is not only just what you want in the middle - he puts pressure there on the run and pass,” Jones said. “But the most important thing is his football character.
And it’s outstanding. It’s off the charts.”
That blend of interior disruption and leadership is exactly what Dallas needed to stabilize a defensive front that’s been reshuffled since the departure of Parsons. Williams isn’t just a run-stuffer - he collapses pockets and commands double teams, opening lanes for the Cowboys’ edge rushers to go to work.
Still, the path to the postseason is far from clear. As of Tuesday, ESPN’s Football Power Index gave Dallas just an 18.2% chance to reach the playoffs. Jones admitted the most realistic route is to win the NFC East - a tall order with the Cowboys trailing the 8-4 Philadelphia Eagles.
Next up? A tough Thursday night road test against the 7-5 Detroit Lions. DraftKings has Dallas as a three-point underdog, and with playoff hopes flickering, every snap carries weight.
For now, the “what if” around a Parsons-for-Williams swap will remain just that - a hypothetical. But it’s clear Jones had a vision for reshaping his defense, and even if the path took a few detours, Quinnen Williams is now at the center of it.