For Jerry Jones, the collapse on Monday night wasn’t just another loss; it was a wake-up call. The Dallas Cowboys’ 44-10 defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals forced the billionaire owner to face what fans have been voicing for weeks: this defense, especially without Micah Parsons, has massively struggled. Less than a day later, Jones made a bold $25 million move that could change the course of his franchise’s future.

The Cowboys struck a major deal to bring in All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. In return, Dallas sent Mazi Smith, along with a second-round pick in 2026 and a first-round pick in 2027, to New York. At just 27 years old, Williams is locked in through 2027 on a four-year contract. With a $96 million contract, which averages out to about $25 million a year. For Jones, this was both a financial risk and a necessary shift in strategy following the fallout from the Parsons trade.

Michael Irvin didn’t hold back his thoughts. “Getting Quinnen Williams, that was a good gift,” he said. “Jerry had to. People were looking at him mighty funny after trading Micah, and that defense looking like that.” Irvin called Williams a “game-changer,” highlighting his strength in the middle and his All-Pro talent in stopping the run, an area where Dallas has struggled all season long.

The trade also carried some emotional weight. Irvin reminisced about meeting Williams and his family at the draft years ago. He describes him as “a fun guy to be around. He reminds me of the late, great Jerome Brown.” Now, that same player could be Dallas’ best shot at turning around a faltering season. “Quinnen Williams pulled me back in,” Irvin admitted. “I was done with this team, but now I’m hoping again.”

The Cowboys’ defense ranks near the bottom of the league, and fans have been restless since the Parsons trade. By spending big on Williams, Jones may have bought himself more than a defensive tackle; he may have bought time.

The addition of Williams wasn’t the only move Jerry Jones had up his sleeve. Realizing that one star lineman couldn’t fix everything overnight, the Cowboys doubled down on defense just hours later.

Cowboys trade for linebacker Logan Wilson

The Dallas Cowboys finally made their move. After weeks of speculation and public frustration over their faltering defense, Jerry Jones pulled the trigger. He traded for veteran linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.

At 29 years old, Wilson joins the Cowboys as a seasoned addition to a defense that’s been struggling. Drafted in the third round out of Wyoming in 2020, Wilson was once a key player for Cincinnati, racking up four consecutive seasons with over 100 tackles and earning a reputation as a tough, smart leader in the middle. However, a decrease in playing time and a shift in defensive strategy under new coordinator Al Golden prompted him to seek a trade last month.

“I appreciate everything Logan has done as a player and as a person during his time in Cincinnati,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “He’s been a central part of our defense and a leader in the locker room. I wish him the best moving forward.”

The Cowboys, desperate for stability at linebacker after inconsistent play from Kenneth Murray and rookie Shemar James, saw Wilson as a low-risk, high-value addition. He’s signed through 2027 on a four-year, $36 million extension. It is a manageable contract for a player with proven production and leadership experience.

With this move, Dallas hopes to plug one of its biggest holes and stabilize a unit that’s been gashed by opposing offenses all year.