Jets rejected bitter AFC East rival before stunning Quinnen Williams trade

The New York Jets shocked the NFL on Tuesday for the trade deadline. While they were expected to sell, no one thought they would move on from superstars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.

The Jets traded Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, while flipping Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones was publicly flirting with the idea of making a bit trade with the picks they received from the Micah Parsons deal with the Green Bay Packers just before the start of the season. As it turns out, the Cowboys weren't the only team trying to acquire Williams during this past Tuesday's trade deadline.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Buffalo Bills reached out to the Jets about a trade for Williams and even offered a first-round pick. Ultimately, nothing came of it, as the Jets dealt Williams to the Cowboys.

Jets shut down the Bills' trade inquiry for Quinnen Williams

"I am told the Bills made a run at multiple big targets within the AFC East, offering a first-round pick as part of a package to the Dolphins for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and to the Jets for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. As for Quinnen Williams, there were several teams involved. The Jaguars, as well as the Bills. The Cowboys won out with a first- and second-round pick as well as defensive tackle Mazi Smith going to New York.""

Tom Pelissero

It's important to note that yes, division rivals can put their differences aside and make a trade beneficial for both parties, but rarely does that happen with superstars. Based on Pelissero's reporting, the Bills did offer a first-round pick for Williams. Ultimately, though, the Cowboys won out with the better trade package.

While the Jets trading Williams seemed like a surprise, it was actually in the works, as the defensive tackle sought to play for another team. He hadn't experienced a single winning season with the Jets. Pair that with reported frustration after the Jets cut quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and you get a star who welcomed a trade.

The Bills are still seeking their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1993 after falling short multiple times in recent years. Despite winning the AFC East five years in a row, the Bills failed to win an AFC Championship.

This explains their aggressiveness in trying to bring in big names to bolster their roster. Unfortunately for the Bills, the two biggest sellers were their division rivals. The Jets were blown away by the Cowboys' offer for Williams. As for Waddle, the Dolphins wanted Buffalo's 2026 first-round pick, while Buffalo offered their 2027 first-rounder.

Imagine the backlash if the Jets traded away Williams to the Bills? Luckily for Jets fans, it didn't happen.