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A new rumor explains why cost was the reason the Dallas Cowboys passed on trading for Trey Hendrickson and instead gave up a first-rounder for Quinnen Williams.

Heading into Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, if the Cowboys had any hope of reaching the playoffs this year, they needed to make one or two moves to improve a defense that has been one of the worst in the NFL. Well, they did that yesterday.

In one of the biggest moves of the day, Dallas gave up a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith for three-time New York Jets Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams. They also made a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals, but it was not the one many Cowboys fans hoped for.

Instead of swinging a big deal for star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, Dallas acquired six-year veteran Logan Wilson. According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, “Teams I spoke to believed Cincinnati wanted a second-rounder for [Hendrickson]. Dallas, which pursued Hendrickson, considered that steep.”

Did the Cowboys make the right choice between Hendrickson and Williams?

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On paper, it seems like Jerry Jones and Dallas made another poor decision to go with an elite run-stopping tackle who can get some sacks over an elite pass rusher to fill the massive void they still have after trading Micah Parsons before the season. However, the Boys made the better long-term move.

A second-rounder does not seem like a high price considering all the first-round picks that were handed out in trades yesterday. But Hendrickson is an impending free agent, and there is a very good chance he will have a price tag that is just too high for Dallas. Especially when he is set to turn 31 next month.

While Williams is not a game-changing pass rusher, he is still a very good defensive lineman who is most importantly, locked in to two more seasons with minimal guaranteed money. Now, part of why he left New York is his desire for an extension. But that is a bridge Dallas can cross down the line. However, he reportedly wanted to be traded to Big D, and he certainly has the motivation to earn an extension in the offseason.

In the end, renting Trey Hendrickson for a few months isn’t going to help Dallas win a title this season. However, Williams can be a key part of a roster that is a contender in 2026 and 2027.

After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos