Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams described the team's defensive improvements this season as "night and day," attributing the significant changes to the new scheme and leadership.
Williams, speaking on Wednesday, highlighted the progress made since the start of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and training camp. He noted that daily practice against one of the league's top offenses has been instrumental in the defense's development. The mindset shift, he said, has trickled down from the coaches to the players and leadership.
Under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys saw considerable success, ranking fifth in opponent points in 2022 and 2023 and fifth in opponent total yards in 2023. However, the team faced challenges in subsequent seasons.
In 2025, with Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator, Dallas finished last in the NFL in opponent passing yards (251.5 per game) and opponent points (30.1 per game). The team also ranked 30th in opponent total yards (377.0 per game), tied for 22nd in sacks (35.0), and 10th in opponent rushing yards (125.5 per game).
Prior to that, in 2024 under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys were 31st in opponent points and 28th in opponent total yards. The team has since moved on from Eberflus, bringing in Christian Parker, who previously served as the Philadelphia Eagles' passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, for his first NFL defensive coordinator role.
"It's been amazing — from where we started off in OTAs to where we are at now," Williams said. "We've got some fine-tuning, some things to clean up, some things to do, but I feel comfortable. The progressions that we made, the growth and the development that we have made, and to go into the right direction that we wanted to go into."
Williams, a four-time Pro Bowler and a 2022 All-Pro, signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension with the Cowboys in August, making him the second-highest-paid interior defensive lineman on average annual value.
In the previous season, Williams recorded 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception, and 53 combined tackles across 15 regular-season games for the Cowboys and New York Jets. Pro Football Focus ranked him second among defensive linemen with an 88.8 overall grade and seventh with 51 total pressures.
Dallas has also bolstered its defense through free agency and the draft. The team signed safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million deal and cornerback Cobie Durant to a one-year, $4 million contract. Additionally, they acquired veteran linebacker Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cowboys traded up to select safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick and drafted linebacker Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick.
The Cowboys are scheduled to open their 2026 regular season on the road against the New York Giants on Sept. 13.