Stephen Jones takes not-so-subtle shot at past stars following historic Williams extension
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Stephen Jones takes not-so-subtle shot at past stars following historic Williams extension originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Dallas Cowboys signed star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a historic three-year, $105.9 million extension Monday afternoon, keeping the four-time Pro Bowler under contract through 2030.
However, a comment made by Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones after the news broke may raise even more eyebrows than the terms of the record-breaking contract itself.
Jones praised the 28-year-old Williams for his leadership while offering a pointed assessment of Dallas' defensive leadership in recent years. "[Williams is] a leader. We didn't have a lot of leadership on defense for the last couple of years," he said, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.
MORE: Dak Prescott jumps five spots, receives leaguewide praise in The Athletic’s latest surveyThat statement is difficult to overlook given the defensive star power Dallas has had in recent years. Three players in particular immediately come to mind: DeMarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs. The trio combined for eight Pro Bowl appearances and three First-Team All-Pro selections from 2021 through 2024. Still, each star had a rocky end to his Cowboys tenure.
MORE: Pair of Cowboys land in the top 20 of Bleacher Report's latest defensive linemen rankingsAfter departing, Lawrencestated he knew “for sure” he was never going to win a Super Bowl in Dallas, which led to a public feud with Parsons. Parsons’ relationship with the franchise deteriorated as contract negotiations dragged on last summer, eventually resulting in an August 2025 blockbuster trade that sent him to Green Bay. Diggs’ relationship with the franchise became increasingly strained after Dallas docked him $500,000 for rehabilitating away from the team's facility in 2025, and he was ultimately waived last December.
It is important to note that Jones did not mention any former player by name, but his comments suggest that the Cowboys are paying Williams to do more than just disrupt opposing offenses. They are counting on him to help establish the kind of defensive culture and leadership that Jones believes the team has lacked in recent years.
MORE: Ryan Flournoy eyes 2026 breakout while hoping to start this new Cowboys traditionThe Dallas Cowboys open the 2026 regular season on September 13 against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.