Troy Aikman reacts to Quinnen Williams trade, if veteran DL will help Cowboys defense

Jerry Jones said that help was coming to the Dallas Cowboys’ defense. He stayed true to his word, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive lineman Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline.

Monday, Jones and co. will get the chance to see Williams suit up for the first time in a Cowboys uniform. Ahead of the Monday Night Football showdown between the Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders, Troy Aikman spoke about Williams and his fit in Dallas.

“Well, I love Quinnen Williams the player,” Aikman said on Monday Night Countdown. “He’s terrific, and he’s definitely going to help them, and I like the fact that DeMarvion Overshown is back in the lineup. There are some things that are happening defensively. They could have five or six players different players from the last time we saw them on that side of the ball. Is it gonna be enough? I mean, I’m as excited as anyone to see exactly what they look like.”

Cowboys expecting Quinnen Williams to help struggling defense

The Cowboys paid a big price to acquire Williams, sending a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets. Dallas believes Williams, one of the best run defenders in football, will be worth it.

The Cowboys currently have the league’s No. 31 ranked defense. Dallas is 29th against the run, something they struggled with last season and hasn’t improved in 2025. Enter Williams, who can both stop the run and rush the passer.

Williams is joining a defensive line room which includes Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa. Aikman wonders if the plan is to get all three on the field at the same time.

“It does help them; it helps them in the run defense, they’ll get some inside pressure, he’s been playing the run as well as anyone in football this year. I think it’ll open up some other opportunities,” Aikman said. “Not to get too technical, but do they wanna get Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams and Osa [Odighizuwa] on the field together? If they do, I expect the Raiders to open it up and start throwing the football. But they’re gonna look different defensively than what we’ve seen in recent games.”