What happened: At Cowboys mandatory minicamp, Dak Prescott shared the message he gave new defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who has reached the playoffs in none of his seven NFL seasons. Prescott told him he would get Dallas to the postseason but needed Williams to help the team win once it arrives. Williams, acquired in-season, called his first full offseason in Dallas a fun chance to settle into the locker room.
Why it matters: Williams is a centerpiece of the Cowboys' defensive rebuild after arriving from the Jets, and Prescott framing playoff expectations sets the internal bar for a team that missed the postseason last year. It signals Dallas is leaning on veteran accountability entering its second season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer as it eyes the NFC East.
By the numbers: Dallas finished 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs in Williams' first season with the team. Williams has spent seven years in the league without a playoff appearance, dating to his time with the Jets. The Cowboys open the 2026 season in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 13 against the New York Giants.
What to watch: Watch whether the offseason chemistry translates once Dallas opens against the Giants, and how Williams anchors a defense expected to carry heavier playoff expectations.