The Dallas Cowboys signed All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a massive three-year extension worth more than $105 million—keeping him with a star on his helmet through 2030.
Securing a longterm deal with Williams was always part of the plan when Dallas aqcuired him at last year’s trade deadline.
“It’s a big part of all the moving parts that went with our trade last year,” Cowboys COO/co-owner Stephen Jones said. “I think this kind of, at the end of the day, puts a bow on top in terms of knowing that we’re going to have Q here for the next five years long term, and have Kenny [Clark] out there rolling, the deal we made with Rashan Gary and how we used the pick on [Malachi] Lawrence. All these things, you can’t say they were all tied to just that, but it’s a big deal. And certainly he represents everything that we want in a Dallas Cowboys football player. He’s not only a great football player, but he’s a man, he’s a leader who people in the locker room look to every day. I was just talking to Christian [Parker], he’s the best player out on the field.”
Williams, 28, is poised to be an integral part of the team on and off the field as a defensive stalwart and effective leader in the locker room. In just seven games with the Cowboys last season, Williams recorded 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and an interception.
“Everybody sees the play and how dominant he is, but you gotta understand the kind of teammate is — his process, how he works,” said defensive line coach Marcus Dixon. “[The contract extension is] well-deserved, and I’m so happy for him and his family, but that man wants to win. He’ll tell you himself.”
Williams is a player that elevates an entire defensive line by allowing other guys to have opportunities to win one-on-one matchups. He can stop the run at a high-level and is a disruptive pass rusher.
Williams faced double teams 40.2% of the time yet still forced 45 quarterback pressures last season. He also led the league with 19 run stuffs while adding 36 run stops.
Having versatile interior defensive lineman like Williams and Clark are the foundation of what sets a quality defensive unit.
“I think from a foundational standpoint, you’re able to build everything else off of that,” Uzo-Diribe said. “To be able to have guys like that, but who aren’t just good players, but who go about their business, day in and day out, and set the tone for the defense, right? They honestly set the tone for how we do things, and it’s been awesome to get to know and get to work with those guys.”
Kudos to Dallas for trading for both Clark and Williams last year, and finally filling a need in the trenches that has haunted them for over a decade.
Cowboys fans should be excited about what is shaping up to be a new and improved defense heading into this season.
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This article originally appeared on NorthDallasGazette.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co
