Gang Green Nation
Shortly after the NY Jets sent cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round draft picks (and wide receiver AD Mitchell), Darren Mougey was once again making moves in New York. This time, the Jets sent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in a trade, per Ian Rapoport. Details in the trade include two first-round picks, where the Jets will get the higher of Dallas’ two 2027 first-round selections. New York also receives a second-round pick, and third-year defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Blockbuster: The #Cowboys are trading for #Jets Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams, sending a first-round pick and more to NYJ, per The Insiders.
A new home for one of the NFL’s best to team that values interior DLs, as NYJ builds for the future. pic.twitter.com/6sxKBn6Uux
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 4, 2025
Williams was selected No. 3 overall in the 2019 NFL draft. The defensive playmaker was a first-team All-Pro in 2022. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl three times so far in his career.
Prior to the 2025 NFL season, Williams expressed frustration with the current regime after the decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers at the quarterback position. The defensive tackle responded in a now-deleted tweet, “another rebuild year for me I guess.”
While Williams wasn’t wrong about the outcome, the move makes sense for both parties.
For New York, it’s now clear that the current regime is looking with their eye towards the future. This could signal some dismay from fans who may not be ready for a completely reconstruction. However, it’s probably the right move in this case for the Jets.
Meanwhile, it allows Williams to play on a team that is theoretically closer to contending for a championship. In the end, the trade is a win for both parties.
Mazi Smith was selected No. 26 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 NFL draft. He went to school at Michigan, and was a defensive standout for the Wolverines. He ended his college career with 88 tackles and six tackles for loss.
Last season, Smith put together 41 tackles with a sack in 17 games. This year in limited action, Smith has just three tackles and has yet to record a sack.
