Quinnen Williams Aims for Stronger Pass-Rush Impact With Cowboys

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is completing his first offseason with the Cowboys, and he said it has been valuable to gain a deeper understanding of how the organization operates after being acquired from the Jets in a trade during the 2025 season.

Williams hopes the additional time with the team will help him raise his level of play. Although he earned a Pro Bowl selection, he recorded his fewest sacks since his rookie season and said Wednesday that he knows he can make more of an impact as a pass rusher going forward.

“I didn’t have my best year statistically as a pass rusher last year,” Williams said, via the team’s website. “I want to be better. I want to do better, and not for myself, but for this team. And I know I can be better.”

One reason Williams is confident he can be more effective this season is the presence of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

“From the defensive scheme and the defensive mindset, he’s extremely smart when it comes to defense and how he sees the game,” Williams said. “It opened my eyes to when I can take my shots, when I can do certain things, and the constructive criticism from what he sees and what I need to work on from his point of view. And what he feels like I can do better from his point of view — the respect that he has for me and the respect I have for him.”

The Cowboys gave up significant capital to acquire Williams last year, and a return to top form in 2026 would help validate that decision.

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