When the New York Jets shipped off Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster trade, most assumed his brother, Quincy Williams, would soon follow.
He almost did.
ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano revealed in a column posted on Wednesday, November 5, that America’s Team almost acquired the whole family.
“I heard that at one point the Cowboys were talking to the Jets about a deal that would have sent Dallas both Williams brothers — Quinnen and linebacker Quincy Williams. But that didn’t work out, and the Cowboys pivoted to former Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson,” Graziano explained.
Jets Asking Price on Quincy Revealed
NFL Insider Josina Anderson posted on social media ahead of the trade deadline that, “Source tells me the word in league circles today has been the Jets were looking for a 4 for LB Quincy (Williams).”
She added, “Talks [are] always fluid in these times though.”
Talks always fluid in these times though.
It appears the Cowboys weren’t willing to pay that price.
On Tuesday, Cincinnati announced that they have traded Wilson to the Cowboys “in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft,” via ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Wilson and Williams are both 29 years of age. However, the former Bengals linebacker isn’t anywhere near as accomplished as the Jets LB. Williams is a former first-team All-Pro, which likely explains the Jets’ high asking price at the deadline.
Dallas opted for bargain bin shopping instead. The Jets end up keeping one of the Williams brothers in a mild surprise.
GM Explains Jets Thought Process Behind Trade Values
“We put a lot of effort leading into this day. We meet weekly as a staff to discuss our roster and the potential trade value of our players, and we do this weekly as we go through the season. So we have these values kind of set, and these comps discussed as we go through the ebbs and flows of a season. So when you get to this trade deadline, you kind of have your set values,” general manager Darren Mougey explained to the media post-trade deadline.
In this case, Mougey and his staff valued Williams at a fourth-round pick. They didn’t get that offer, so they didn’t pull the trigger.
So… Now What?
Before the NFL trade deadline was over, Quincy took to social media, posting a GIF from “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” with the caption, “I mean…” with a shrugging Will Smith.
The GIF is still fitting post-trade deadline.
Williams, 29, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Ahead of the 2026 season, Williams will turn 30. How much gas does he have left in the tank? Would the Jets be willing to pay multiple off-ball linebackers top-of-the-market money?
They already paid Jamien Sherwood $45 million across three years. That $15 million annual salary ranks No. 5 among the highest-paid linebackers in football, per Over The Cap.
With the Jets not shipping Williams off to the highest bidder, it would be in their best interest to find a way to keep him.
That may prove to be a complicated endeavor, considering they just traded away his brother, and it’s unclear how quickly they will start winning.
Cowboys Had Trade Talks With Jets to Add Another All-Pro, Says Insider