Following their 27-17 defeat to the Cardinals, which dropped the Cowboys to a 3-5-1 record, the team made significant moves to bolster their struggling defense.
The Cowboys traded for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, aiming to improve a unit currently ranked 31st in points allowed (277) and yards allowed (3,577). Only the Bengals, who are on track to set records for the most points and yards surrendered, are performing worse.
“It”s exciting,” said Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer, as reported by Tommy Yarrish on the team website. “Kudos to Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones, Will McClay, for being aggressive but also smart. A couple of moves we made, you”re getting guys not just for this year but beyond, which I think is great… I think it”s two terrific players, but also terrific young men.”
In exchange for Williams, the Cowboys sent a second-round pick in 2026, their better first-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets. They secured Wilson for a seventh-round pick.
“I”m f—ing pumped,” expressed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott regarding the acquisitions. The trade for Wilson was hinted at by Jerry Jones during pregame and postgame interviews on Monday night, with both teams having already agreed on the deal, which led to Wilson being inactive for the previous game.
The Cowboys are now tasked with integrating both players into their system. “They”ll both be coming through here for physicals, and we”ll get them the things they need, the iPads and things like that, but they”re both veteran players,” Schottenheimer noted. “They”ve both played a lot of football… We”ll get them up to speed, and both guys I think should be fast learners and pick it up pretty quick. You should expect to see them make a fast transition.”
