DALLAS — As the NFL trade deadline looms just days away on Tuesday, November 4, the Dallas Cowboys are poised to pull off a move that could ignite their season and shore up a secondary that’s been leaking like a sieve. Reports are swirling that the Cowboys are on the verge of acquiring Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams—a two-time Super Bowl champion—in what could be the steal of the deadline. While the Cowboys’ brass, led by the ever-crafty Jerry Jones, hasn’t confirmed the deal, multiple sources close to the negotiations indicate it’s all but done, with Dallas sending a mid-round draft pick to Kansas City in exchange.
The Cowboys’ defense has been a punchline this season, particularly in the secondary, where injuries and inconsistencies have left them vulnerable to every deep ball thrown their way. Star corner Trevon Diggs, the heart of their pass defense, is sidelined on injured reserve with a concussion, and the numbers don’t lie: Every other Dallas cornerback has surrendered more than 1.1 yards per coverage snap, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s not just bad—it’s historically porous for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Enter Joshua Williams, the 25-year-old former fourth-round pick out of Fayetteville State University, who’s already etched his name in NFL lore with back-to-back Super Bowl rings from his time with the Chiefs (LVII in 2023 and LVIII in 2024). Drafted in 2022 as a developmental piece behind Kansas City’s loaded cornerback room—featuring the likes of Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed—Williams has been a luxury player in Andy Reid’s dynasty. But with his rookie contract expiring after this season and his snaps dwindling to a career-low in 2025, the Chiefs see this as an opportunity to restock their draft capital without losing a core asset.
“Joshua’s a baller who’s ready for his moment,” one NFC scout told me on condition of anonymity. “He’s got that Chiefs pedigree—two rings, elite coaching, and a nose for the ball. In Dallas, he’d step in Day 1 as CB2 opposite DaRon Bland, and when Diggs returns, you’ve got a trio that could terrorize quarterbacks. Plus, he’s only played 775 coverage snaps in his career but boasts an elite 0.9 yards per coverage snap. That’s not luck; that’s skill.”
ESPN analyst Seth Walder echoed that sentiment in a recent breakdown of deadline targets, highlighting Williams as the perfect low-cost fix for Dallas. “The Cowboys could use reinforcements now more than ever,” Walder wrote. “Williams is buried on the depth chart in Kansas City, but he’s produced at an impressive clip. Imagine him locking down receivers opposite Diggs and Bland in the slot—that’s a secondary that plays like the ’85 Bears.”
For Williams, the move to Dallas represents a fresh start and a starring role. His 2025 season has been frustratingly limited, with just 12 starts across three years and sporadic appearances in sub-packages. But his tape tells a different story: Quick feet, ball-hawking instincts, and a knack for jumping routes that made him a fan favorite during Kansas City’s playoff runs. In Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, Williams logged crucial snaps in the nickel package, helping stonewall Brock Purdy’s aerial attack en route to a 25-22 overtime victory. A change of scenery to Dallas, where he’d immediately become one of the most talented corners on the roster, could unlock his All-Pro potential.
And let’s talk brass tacks: This is vintage Jerry Jones wheeling and dealing. The Cowboys aren’t dropping a first-rounder on a rental like they’ve done in past offseasons. No, this is bargain-bin brilliance—a fourth-rounder from three years ago, in a contract year, for what insiders peg as a fifth-round pick in 2027. It’s the kind of value play that Jones loves, echoing the low-risk, high-reward acquisitions of players like Stephon Gilmore in 2021 or even the midseason snag of Zack Martin back in the day. With cap space to burn and a roster that’s already stacked offensively (hello, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott), adding Williams fits the blueprint for a deep playoff push.
Of course, nothing’s official until the ink dries, and the Chiefs—ever the opportunists—could always pivot if a better offer surfaces. But with Dallas desperate for secondary help ahead of a brutal stretch against the Eagles, Lions, and 49ers, this feels like a deadline no-brainer. Williams isn’t a household name yet, but in the words of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: “We’re always looking for that diamond in the rough.”
If the deal goes through, expect Williams to suit up in America’s Team blue by Sunday’s tilt against the Falcons. Two rings, untapped upside, and
