1 signing the Cowboys need to make after trading Queenen Williams

For Dallas Cowboysthe 2025 season was anything but predictable. What began with the shocking offseason trade of Micah Parsons has turned into a turbulent campaign. After a demoralizing 27–17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, team owner Jerry Jones made another bold move. He swung for the star in an attempt to save the season. By purchasing an All-Pro defensive tackle Quinn WilliamsThe Cowboys don’t seem to be giving up contention just yet.

The move was monumental, but ultimately incomplete. Of course, Williams anchors the middle of Dallas’ defense. However, the absence of a dominant edge continues to haunt this roster. If the Cowboys really want to get back into the NFC playoff race, they still need to sign a proven, experienced EDGE rusher to replace the game-changing presence that Parsons once provided.

Chaos and one desperate gamble

2025 was a tumultuous year for the Cowboys. Again, it started with the trade of Micah Parsons, who rushed for a pass after his contract waiver. Now that has culminated in a disappointing 3–5–1 record in Week 9. Their defense fell apart, ranking near the bottom of the league, especially against the run.

That reality led Jones and the front office to be aggressive in 2025 NFL trade deadline. In a surprising pair of moves, Dallas acquired linebacker Logan Wilson and All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. In a blockbuster deal with the New York Jets, the Cowboys sent defensive tackle Mazie Smith and the better of their two 2027 first-round picks to land Williams.

The price was high, but the payoff could be huge. Williams immediately became the team’s best defender. It can collapse pockets and swallow treadmills. Reports indicate the Cowboys plan to extend Williams long-term as well. It would cement him as the cornerstone of their renewed defense.

Williams should drastically improve Dallas’ defense. Pro Football Focus ranked him among the top 10 inside linebackers. His combination of power and athleticism make him one of the league’s most devastating interior defenders. However, this trade is more about potential than current results. Williams can fill in the gaps, but he can’t solve the Cowboys’ problems on his own.

If anything, the trade vindicated Jones’ faith in the head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the existing roster. However, for this investment to pay off, the Cowboys need to finish what they started. This means signing the Prime Minister to complete the defense overhaul.

Here, we’ll try to look at and discuss the next signing the Dallas Cowboys have to make after trading for Quinen Williams.

Sign the veteran free agent EDGE rusher

Trading for Williams was a huge step in fixing the defense. Still, the Cowboys’ work is far from over. With Parsons gone, a team that once feared the pass rush has lost its teeth. Williams and Kenny Clark can dominate the interior. However, without an explosive edge presence, opposing quarterbacks will have too much time to throw.

The Cowboys must now target a proven EDGE rusher to complement Williams and regain the identity of the defense. A few veteran names make sense. Shakuil Barrett, DeMarcus Walker and Iannick Ngakoue are currently available options capable of producing immediately.

Filling the void of Micah Parsons

Obviously, you can’t really replace Parsons. However, you can mitigate its absence. Parsons was a generational player who single-handedly changed games with his pressure, speed and versatility. Since his departure, the Cowboys’ sack rate and quarterback pressures have declined.

Adding a proven threat on the edge like Shakuil Barrett would help restore balance. Barrett’s ability to win one-on-one matchups off the edge and close quickly on quarterbacks would complement Williams perfectly. His presence would also help Wilson and the linebackers move more freely, bolstering Dallas’ second level.

Maximizing Impact Quinn Williams

The beauty of Williams’ trade lies in his versatility. He can dominate against both the run and the pass. However, to unlock his full potential, he needs a strong supporting cast. When interior linemen are constantly doubled, an athletic pass rush can take advantage of the mismatch.

It’s also why a player like Ngakoue makes so much sense. Despite being a journeyman, Ngakoue is still one of the most effective pass rushers in the league when paired with disruptive interior players. He would have thrived in Dallas. Together, Ngakou and Williams could generate inside-outside pressure that fuels elite defenses.

A true “win it now” statement.

The Cowboys’ decision to trade premium draft capital for Williams was a bold one. However, without complementing that move with an EDGE signing, the front office risks squandering its investment.

The veteran pass rusher would serve as a win-now statement, confirming that the Cowboys aren’t just rebuilding — they’re reloading. Players like Barrett or Ngakoue won’t come cheap, of course. However, Dallas has little cap space and a history of downright botched moves when the stakes are high.

Even if the Cowboys fall short this year, the move would set them up for a jump in 2026, with Williams, Clark, Wilson and a new rushing attack forming a defensive core capable of dominating the NFC.

Complete the transformation

The Williams trend has given Dallas credibility again. It showed ambition. Still, the Cowboys lack the finishing touch that separates rebuilding teams from legitimate contenders. Without a dominant edge, Williams’ impact will be muted.

Signing a veteran EDGE rusher is a must. Whether it’s the strength of Shaquille Barrett, the speed of Yannick Ngakue, or even perhaps the versatility of DeMarcus Walker, Dallas needs to act decisively. The pieces are there for a defensive revival. Now, it’s about completing the puzzle.