Overview
- The Cowboys acquired Williams in a midseason 2025 trade from the New York Jets that included premium draft picks and, in some reports, defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
- Williams produced 19 pressures and 1.5 sacks in seven games with Dallas after the trade, more than doubling the eight pressures he had in eight games with the Jets before the deal.
- ESPN’s preseason positional poll of executives, coaches and scouts placed Williams at No. 6 among defensive tackles, a ranking reported on Thursday that set a tone of cautious optimism.
- An anonymous NFL coordinator quoted by ESPN said the Jets can 'knock you down' and predicted Williams will be 'rejuvenated' in Dallas, a comparison tied to Leonard Williams’ post‑Jets improvement.
- Williams is under a four‑year, $96 million extension through 2027, and if he builds on his late‑season uptick in 2026 the Cowboys could see both defensive improvement and a need to revisit his contract situation.