The $106 million reason the Jets were wise to trade away Quinnen Williams

Quinnen Williams was a staple of the New York Jets defensive line from 2019 to 2025, before a 1-7 start to the 2025 season forced the team's hand into a firesale.

As tough a pill as it was to swallow to watch New York say goodbye to the likes of Sauce Gardner and Williams, it made sense. With those two players serving as the cornerstones of the Jets' defense, they were a bottom-of-the-league unit.

In Williams' case, though, his departure was a more pressing matter. The guaranteed money on the four-year, $96 million contract he signed in 2024 was running out, and he was reportedly either demanding a new deal or a change of scenery.

The former Alabama standout got what he wanted. Not only was he dealt to the Dallas Cowboys, but he also got his new contract. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Williams was signing a three-year $105.9 million contract extension ahead of his first full season with Dallas.

The New York Jets traded Quinnen Williams at the perfect time

Williams' new deal tacks on three years to the remaining two years on his current deal, paying him an average of $30.8 million per year until 2030. He slots in between Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones and recent Cincinnati Bengals acquisition Dexter Lawrence as the fourth-highest-paid defensive tackle in the league.

It's a well-deserved payday for the former No. 3 overall pick, as he is consistently one of the most productive defensive linemen in the NFL. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 88.8 last season between his time with the Jets and Cowboys, ranked second-highest among qualified players.

Despite that, it was still smart for the Jets to cut ties with Williams when they did. They were in no position to be paying a player of his caliber that much money, particularly with the current state of the roster.

The Jets need those draft picks they got back in the trade with Dallas, and they're able to build a more complete and deeper defensive line room because of it.

The Jet Press' Mike Luciano highlighted that New York's current rotation, featuring the likes of Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, Jowon Briggs, and T'Vondre Sweat, will cost them a grand total of $17.35 million in 2026, just over half of what Dallas will be paying Williams annually over the next five years.

Sure, the Jets may not be as talented up front without their long-time defensive tackle, but they have more flexibility because of it and are relying on multiple players to fill the void he left behind.

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