The Dallas Cowboys spent last season trying to rebuild a defense that took a hit after Micah Parsons was gone, and the edge rush group was a big part of the problem. That picture looks very different now. Heading into the 2026 NFL season, Dallas has so much depth on the edge that a former second-round pick could be the odd man out.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report is projecting the Cowboys to release Sam Williams before the 2026 season, a move that would clear a logjam in a position room that suddenly looks crowded.
"Williams may have to jump-start his career elsewhere," Davenport writes. "... Williams would no doubt quickly get scooped up, but the truth is there may not be room for him in Dallas anymore."
It would be a tough outcome for Dallas, especially for a 27-year-old edge rusher who has appeared in 49 games over three seasons and has 9.5 career sacks. But the numbers in the room may leave the Cowboys with little choice.
Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are listed as the two starters, while rookie Malachi Lawrence and free-agent addition Von Miller give Dallas two more quality options behind them. That leaves James Houston, Marist Liufau and Williams fighting for what could be the final spots.
Keeping seven edge rushers may be more than the Cowboys can justify. Six feels like the cleaner fit, and once Liufau’s special teams role is factored in, the decision could come down to Houston or Williams.
In Other News...
Miles Sanders Arrest Adds Another Worry To Cowboys Backfield
Miles Sanders arrived in Dallas as one of the new pieces in a backfield that already has plenty of moving parts, joining the Cowboys on a one-year deal after Carolina released him. For a team trying to sort out its running back rotation, any offseason addition comes with a little pressure to hit the ground running, and Sanders had already been viewed through that lens before his latest off-field issue surfaced.
On June 8, Sanders was arrested in Churchill Borough, Pennsylvania, and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving after police said he was impaired in his vehicle. Officers also found a sealed package of suspected marijuana products in the car, while his attorney said the matter is private and has not yet reached a preliminary hearing. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Are Creating Hype Even Their Biggest Doubters Cant Ignore
Brian Schottenheimers second season in charge has brought a different kind of buzz around the Cowboys, and it is showing up early in August. Dallas has opened the preseason with a pair of wins, including a solid showing against the Seahawks, while the roster has been reshaped by some notable additions on both sides of the ball. Christian Parker is in as defensive coordinator, and the Cowboys have also brought in veterans like Von Miller, Rashan Gary and Otito Ogbonnia to raise the floor and the ceiling.
The early momentum has also given a platform to younger players trying to carve out roles, especially rookie defensive end LT Overton. He has flashed enough in preseason action to draw praise from Schottenheimer, which matters for a team trying to blend new pieces with legitimate development from within. The bigger question now is whether that August energy can keep building once the games start counting, because for now the Cowboys are making even skeptics take a second look. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Future Just Got A Lot Clearer After New Sale Buzz
The Lakers record-setting ownership change has naturally stirred up the usual what-if talk around other iconic franchises, and the Cowboys were right there in the conversation. For Dallas, though, the reaction from inside the building was about as clear as it gets. Stephen Jones, the teams chief operating officer, said the family is not considering a sale and made it plain that he and his siblings plan to keep running the organization after Jerry Jones.
For Cowboys fans, that takes one of the louder offseason debates off the board, even if the on-field questions remain. Dallas has gone without a Super Bowl title since 1996, but there is growing belief around the league that this could be a promising season. So while the ownership buzz made for a headline elsewhere, the more relevant update in Dallas is that the Jones family appears committed to staying the course. [Read more 🡒]