One of the main focuses for the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, California, at training camp is improvement on the defensive side of the ball. And one way that can happen for America's team is the continued growth of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

The man they call 'Q' is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. And now preparing for his first full season with America's Team, he believes he's ready to go. And he's made quite the impression on his coaches and teammates.

"You know, he's an incredible teammate. He's one of the most, I would say, humble superstars I've ever been around. You know? He truly is, I think, being in New York and, unfortunately, not being a part of playoff teams. He's to the point in his career where it's not about money, it's not about sacks, it is about wins. And I love that, because when you combine that with certain guys like Dak Prescott and other players, that's what they want to lead the league in, is wins, And he's just an awesome family man. You know, great teammate. But the player speaks for itself," head coach Brian Schottenheimer said.

Williams had 1 1/2 sacks, three tackles for loss and an interception in seven games for the Cowboys, and the 28-year-old expects to be much more productive having had a full offseason to integrate himself into the team. Williams also wants to reach the playoffs for the first time, having never won more than seven games in his previous seven seasons with the Jets and Cowboys.

"Definitely never been to the playoffs man and as a competitor man, I want to win at all. Like I compete in this sport. I'm an ultimate competitor and I want win every single game if I can I was was bred to win from co-saving and Do the things that we can do that at (The University of Alabama) and I wanted to bring that same mentality Especially to this defense because our offense have that mentality," Williams said.

Williams is loving his time in his first offseason with the Cowboys.

He's made four Pro Bowl appearances, but he said his only focus this year is making a playoff appearance for the first time in his career. Williams started his career with the New York Jets.

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams uses his life experiences as inspiration to give back to the community and make an impact off the field.

The Cowboys hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker this offseason after letting Matt Eberflus go.

The Cowboys ranked last in the league in points allowed (511), second-to-last in yards per play (6.1), and third-to-last in takeaways (12).

Those struggles were in stark contrast to one of the best offenses in football, with the Cowboys averaging 27.7 points and 391.9 yards per game. With Schottenheimer dialing up the NFL’s No. 2 passing offense for quarterback Dak Prescott, Dallas went 6-1-1 when scoring at least 30 points.

While part of the hope for a turnaround rests with a reconfigured pass rush and secondary under the tutelage of Parker, who spent the past two seasons coaching defensive backs for the Eagles, Williams needs to be the unit’s centerpiece to take significant steps forward.

Williams was acquired from the New York Jets in November.

Given the importance of a disruptive interior lineman in the system Parker brought to Dallas, Williams wants to do for him what Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis have done for the Eagles, including helping them win the Super Bowl following the 2024 season.

If it results in a Carter-sized future payday for Williams, all the better.

In Texas, spitting on a person is considered misdemeanor assault. In last night's season opener for the Cowboys, it was an ejectable offense for Eagles player Jalen Carter. A local coach shared with NBC 5’s Vince Sims what he'll be teaching his players about unsportsmanlike behavior.

Williams is under contract with the Cowboys through next season and in line for a sizable raise considering his peers’ new deals. Carter agreed to terms on a four-year extension including $106 million in guarantees, resetting the market again following the three-year extension Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans signed in June.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that the organization has had conversations with Williams’ agent about an extension. While Williams expressed his interest in remaining with Dallas for the foreseeable future, he is choosing to let his representatives handle the process.

"He's at the top of our list," Jones said. 

It appears the feeling is mutual. 

"Oh, for sure, man, especially being here with these guys, man. You got a phenomenal group, man, and phenomenal staff, man, organization-wise, man, it's unbelievable, man, and then having guys that you can call and lean on, like DeMarcus Ware is one of my guys, it's unbelievable, man, so. Like I said, I'm not really focused on no contract. I definitely want to be here for the long haul. I definitely will enjoy and love being here for the long haul, but I want to win. And that's kind of the only thing I'm really focused on is winning and kind of getting this defense into the groove where we can win football games for this team," Williams said.

Schottenheimer believes Williams can be a part of building what he calls the best culture in all of professional sports.

Williams said that he would love to stay in Dallas long term. The Cowboys acquired Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline last year for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and former first-round pick Mazi Smith. After six and a half seasons in New York, it didn't take long for Williams to realize he wanted to plant roots in Dallas. His belief in what the Cowboys could be grew when he heard how much belief they had in him. They made it clear they wanted Williams to be at the core of their winning aspirations on defense. 

"I definitely want to be here for the long haul," Williams said. "I definitely would love being here for the long haul, but I want to win, and that's really the only thing I'm focused on is winning and getting this defense into the groove where we can win football games for this team."

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Williams’ immediate goal is to develop a defense capable of helping the Cowboys succeed.