MetLife Stadium will be familiar territory for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but his return ahead of Week 1 comes with a different mindset.

During a press conference in Frisco, Texas, on September 9, 2026, Williams spoke about the Cowboys’ Week 1 game against the New York Giants. Despite his past with the New York Jets, he said he has no extra emotions about the occasion.

“Oh yeah, I really never had emotions about it,” Williams said. “It's pretty cool, but I focus on us, I focus on getting better every single day, and I focus on my craft. I have a job to do, and to get ready to go compete in a football game.” 

Williams joined the Dallas Cowboys in November 2025 after spending seven seasons with the New York Jets, who selected him No. 3 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft,  as per Patrik Walker of the Dallas Cowboys.

He played 98 games for the team, recording 322 tackles, 59 tackles for loss and 40 sacks, while earning three Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022.

His seven-year stint in New York makes the Week 1 matchup a notable return, but Williams is keeping his attention on the Cowboys. 

According to the Dallas Cowboys, many players could feel extra emotion and motivation in such a situation. Still, Williams remains focused on one goal: starting the season 1-0, regardless of where the game is played.

His focus in Dallas, however, now extends to a new leadership role with the team.

From Defensive Tackle to Defensive Captain: Williams' New Role in Dallas

In the same press conference, Williams spoke about being named one of the Dallas Cowboys’ four captains and the responsibility that comes with the role. 

"It means a lot," Williams said. "It means a lot of responsibility, and it means leadership, when it comes down — people hearing your voice. It's also a test of how hard you work, because the leaders, and it's a lot of guys that didn't make captain… and I'm super excited about it." 

Williams was voted to the Dallas Cowboys’ leadership council and named one of the team’s four captains just 10 months after the blockbuster trade that brought him to North Texas.

With that in mind, Williams understands the responsibility that comes with the role and is excited to take on the challenge, with the 2026 season set to see him lead the Dallas Cowboys both on and off the field.

Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit