Aug 1, 2026, 4:09 AM CUT

Cowboys DT wants to deliver for Dak Prescott after defensive admission

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 26: New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams 95 walks off the field after the game against the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 26, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 26 Jets at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251026164

The Dallas Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to help reshape a defense that struggled throughout the 2025 season. Now, the veteran tackle says he is determined to help deliver a Super Bowl for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Williams, who has played seven years in the league without a playoff appearance, has vowed to help lead the team because he wants to win alongside the Cowboys' potent offense.

"I want to win for not only me, myself personally, but guys like Dak Prescott who works his tail off and has been here 10 years and deserves a Super Bowl,” Williams said, per The Cowboys Network on X. “Guys like CeeDee Lamb, who's a 5x Pro Bowler and been here for 5 years, and who deserves a Super Bowl."

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 05: Quinnen Williams 95 of the New York Jets during the game against the Dallas Cowboys on October 5, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 05 Cowboys at Jets EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25100519258

The four-time Pro Bowler enters the 2026 season with the intention of leading the defense into Super Bowl contention, as he pointed to the poor defensive season last year, which allowed 30.1 points per game (ranked at No. 30 in the league).

"The defense wasn't so great,” Williams said, per The Cowboys Network X post. “It just urges me, personally, to get this defense together so the hard work that they put in won't just be going to waste anymore."

The Cowboys traded for Williams from the New York Jets midseason in 2025. He immediately made an impact, starting all seven games he appeared in.

He posted one interception, 1.5 sacks, 21 tackles (nine solo), and nine QB hits in 2025 with the Cowboys.

Williams has posted 41.5 sacks, 343 tackles (208 solo), 110 QB hits, and 15 passes defended across 105 games played (101 starts) over seven seasons in the NFL.

The Cowboys haven't reached the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season, and after missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, Williams believes he can lead the defense on a deep postseason run.

Quinnen Williams makes long-term Dallas stance clear

Quinnen Williams is under a $96 million extension through the 2027 season. As contract talks gain traction, he remains focused on "trying to get this team going in the right direction," believing his performance will take care of the business side.

"I let them handle that," Williams said, per Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com. "I'm just truly enjoying being here, I'm enjoying being on the Dallas Cowboys. First training camp, first time in Oxnard, first time kind of being in a sense where we can get better and trying to get better on defense, especially with the new guys coming in, with the new staff coming in."

Williams wants to help transform a defense that struggled last season by instilling the championship mentality he developed at Alabama, bringing it in line with the Cowboys' high-powered offense.

Can the Cowboys' revamped defense finally match its elite offense? Drop your predictions for Dallas' 2026 campaign.

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore