Quinnen Williams Reveals Cowboys Contract Wish; Day 2 Notebook At Camp

OXNARD, Calif. - The Dallas Cowboys, for the first time in recent memory, enter training camp without any lingering contract issues hanging over the franchise's head.

Meaning that any contract talks that occur here in SoCal will be because Dallas wants to engage, not because it needs to.

And that is where All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams enters the chat.

Straight Outta Oxnard, our Cowboys Day 2 Training Camp Notebook ...

BIG Q, BIG DEAL?: With Cowboys COO Stephen Jones stating that Williams is at "the top of the list" in terms of extensions, that bodes well for a deal to get done eventually.

With Jalen Carter getting a monster deal (four years, with maximum value of $160 million, $38 million APY), the market has been set for when Quinnen wants to sit down at the negotiating table.

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Given that Dallas has no pressing needs, getting out in front of a big extension is good business, and training camp is where some deals get done.

But does Williams want to be with the Cowboys long-term?

"Oh, for sure, especially being here with these guys, you got a phenomenal group, staff, organization-wise man, it's unbelievable," Williams 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.

"That's kind of the only thing I'm really focused on is winning and getting this defense in into the groove where we can win football games for this team."

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So, the Cowboys have Williams at the top of the list, and he wants to stay in Dallas; it feels rather straightforward. ... except for the actual numbers, which could in the end make Williams among the highest-paid defensive tackles in NFL history.

Those numbers?

Philadelphia just signed Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million extension, including $106 million in guaranteed money. That's $38 million annually.

Tennesee tackle Jeffrey Simmons just did a deal that puts him at $35.2 million annually.

Williams' present deal has him making $20.7 million this year.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer stated that for Williams, it isn't about money, he just wants to win, and the Cowboys have done a good job of revamping the defense under Christian Parker so the unit can pull its weight it games.

But ... you know ... it's always kinda about the money.

XXX: Dak Prescott wore a Super Bowl XXX championship shirt on the team charter to training camp ... and some critics are making quite a fuss over it.

Dak's reaction: “I’m not going to shy away from (Super Bowl talk). Why not now?”

EARLY IMPACT: Schottenheimer said rookie linebacker Jaishawn Barham is off to a great start at camp.

“It was helmets only, but his ability to get off blocks ... that’s a heavy-handed guy,'' Schotty said of the third-round pick. "We love the versatility of him to be on and off the ball.”

PICKENS ON JERRY: What's George Pickens think of Jerry Jones' suggestion that the receiver, despite playing now on a one-year tag contract, could be "a Cowboy for the rest of his career''?

"I'm always super-happy,'' Pickens said, "when someone thinks highly of me. So shoutout to Jerry!''

FISHELLANOUS: Schottenheimer also cited Joe Milton, Jaydon Blue, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Jalen Thompson among those making fine early impressions. ... The coach confirmed our report on safety PJ Locke's injury. It's a hyperextended knee and he sat out Thursday, but it's not considered to be serious. ... We like coach Brian Schottenheimer's attention to media-friendly detail. On Tuesday, he told us that if we see players running wind sprints after practice, it's part of a program - "Not punishment,'' he said. And on Thursday? A bunch of guys were running wind sprints post-practice. Not punishment! ... It's the Underwear Olympics, but Thursday marked a spectacular combo day for CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The "Goodfellas'' are eye-catching in every possible positive way.

GREEN-DOT UPDATE: We've reported that the defensive signal-caller is likely to be "Agent Zero.''

How's that working out so far?

In a clever "adversity" test on Wednesday, rookie coordinator Christian Parker acted as if the communication system went out. How would DeMarvion Overshown and the squad react?

Schottenheimer praised Overshown for getting the defense into position despite the "breakdown.''

“D-Mo got to the exact call that he was supposed to, which is what you expect,'' Schotty said. "D-Mo was outstanding in getting us to the call we needed to be in.”

DAK ON JERRY: Prescott praised owner Jones, who will turn 84 in October, and the front office for its recent flurry of moves.

“It’s amazing,'' he said, "to watch what's happened over the last couple years, and to see his mind and his urgency. Life is about urgency and nothing is promised. 

“Why not now?”

MAJOR IMPROVEMENT?: With Williams a focal point for the defense, along with Kenny Clark and even rookie Caleb Downs, the defense, on paper, at least feels a whole lot better than it did a year ago.

Williams has a full offseason to get himself back to being the All-Pro we know he can be, and as far as the contract? Well, we know the stance of both sides.

Time will tell if Quinnen is in fact, here for the long haul. But at least both sides share a desire here.

THE FINAL WORD: Hey, rookie Caleb Downs, just how elite might you end up being for the Cowboys?

“That,'' the first-round DB replied cutely, "is for me to know and for you to find out.”