The Tennessee Titans' record-setting contract extension with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has reshaped the DT market with a $100+ million contract extension. Now, this precedent could pave the way for a Cowboys player to land a better deal.

Four-time Pro Bowler DT Quinnen Williams could now be in line for a deal that surpasses this new benchmark.

“Who could be next among star defensive tackles to earn a big payday?” per Tommy Yarrish of Dallas Cowboys.com. “Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams' name certainly comes to mind."

The Cowboys traded defensive lineman Mazi Smith and a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Williams.

"The Cowboys being willing to trade a first-round pick for him in next year's draft shows how important they feel he is to the defense, which means a contract extension to back that up could be in the future to make Williams either the highest-paid or close to the highest-paid player at his position," Yarrish wrote in the Dallas Cowboys article.

Yarrish believes that Williams could land the next big deal as a DT with the Cowboys, after Simmons, as he is now the highest-paid DT in the NFL with an average annual value of $35M as per Over the Cap.

The Titans signed Simmons to a three-year, $105.8M with $100M guaranteed and an average annual value of $35.3M, exceeding the previous benchmark set by Kansas City Chiefs DT, Chris Jones ($31.8M per year).

Williams signed a four-year, $96M deal with the New York Jets, which runs through 2027, with two years left in his contract.

In his limited game time in 2025, he recorded 21 tackles (9 solo), 1.5 sacks, one pass defended, and one interception in seven games played in 2025 with the Cowboys.

If Williams continues to push the Cowboys' defense at a high level, Simmons' contract value could serve as a starting point for the Cowboys' next big contract negotiation.

Williams credits Christian Parker for a strong first offseason experience

According to Patrick Walker of Dallas Cowboys.com, the first-team All-Pro described his first full offseason with the Cowboys as 'fun' and a great opportunity to learn from some 'great people' like new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

"From the defensive scheme and the defensive mindset, he's extremely smart when it comes down to the defense of how he sees the game," Williams said, per Patrick Walker of DallasCowboys.com. "It opened my eyes on when I could take my shots, when I can do certain things, and constructive criticism from what he sees, and what I need to work on from his point of view."

Williams said that he wanted to perform better for his team and for himself and grow every single year, as he believes he underperformed his potential last year, statistically.

Without playoff success in his seven years with the league, Williams aspires to reach the championship and beyond with the Cowboys team, as the team heads to training camp on July 28.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote