Many would not have expected Sam Williams to get a fifth season in Dallas after his first four years. But he’s back in 2026 with a chance at career redemption and to finally reward the Cowboys for their original investment. How does this prototypical “prove it” season look for Williams, and what could it mean for Dallas’ overhauled defense?
Background
Years in NFL: 4
Acquired by: 2022 2nd-round pick
When the Cowboys took Williams with the 56th-overall pick in 2022, it was with the hope that he’d develop into
Micah Parsons’ eventual wingman. It didn’t have to be right away: DeMarcus Lawrence was 30 but still a quality starter, Dorance Armstrong had just received a two-year extension, and they’d added veteran Dante Fowler in free agency. So while a second-round pick, Williams wasn’t going to be asked to do immediate heavy lifting.
Williams’ first two years were a mix of flashed potential and red flags for his future. He had four sacks as a rookie and 4.5 in 2023 as a rotation player. His ability to get after the QB was clear, but he had multiple penalties for roughing or other personal fouls that mitigated the positives. He also had maturity issues off the field, with three driving incidents from December 2022 to August 2023, the last of which included an arrest for marijuana possession and an unlawful weapon.
2024 offered great potential for Williams to prove himself as a future asset. Armstrong and Fowler followed Dan Quinn to Washington, leaving a big gap in the rotation. It was Williams’ to lose, with many hoping for a third-year leap and perhaps the rise of a future starter. But on just fourth day of training camp, Williams’ season ended with a torn ACL.
Last year, Williams’ return was caught up in the mess of Matt Eberflus’ defense. While he did play all 17 games and even start five, Williams only managed one sack. By the end of the year his share of the defensive snaps was dropping. But it wasn’t all bad: Williams emerged as a playmaker on special teams with a blocked punt and blocked field goal in separate games. Those plays may be why he’s still with Dallas now.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $2.5 million
With his rookie deal up, Williams didn’t even spend a whole day in free agency. On March 11th, he signed a one-year contract to return to Dallas. The deal has incentives for playing time and sack totals: a true “prove it” deal for the 27-year-old with his NFL career potentially on the line. With at least $2 million in guaranteed money, the Cowboys have made a decent commitment to seeing Williams’ second chance through.
2026 Projections
Role: Backup OLB
Roster Chance: 70%
Not only does Williams’ contract suggest he’ll make the roster, but so does the overall picture at outside linebacker. The top three is pretty clear: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence will be the focus. The fourth spot probably belongs to James Houston right now, but that’s at least where Williams should be competitive. Dallas will probably keep at least five OLBs, and Williams feels like the current favorite for at least that fifth spot. And if he’s now full recovered from the 2024 knee injury, he could push for more.
There are some other contenders: Marist Liufau’s moving to EDGE and Dallas brought back Tyrus Wheat in free agency. There’s also the versatility of Jaishawn Barham, who may be focusing on ILB as a rookie but could factor into the pass rush as well. So Williams won’t go unchallenged for his spot, which is probably a good thing for his focus.
As mentioned before, Williams’ special teams performance in 2025 will also work in his favor. Even if he ends up further down the roster than he’d like, special teams may keep him from sliding off it completely. But while this helps establish his floor, many feel that the move to playing 3-4 OLB will suit Williams better than his time in Eberflus’ or even Quinn’s defenses. If health and maturity are now on his side, Sam Williams could be a in a good position to capitalize on the Cowboys’ loyalty.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
G Tyler Booker
S Alijah Clark
TE Jake Ferguson
LB Shemar James
G Trevor Keegan
FB Hunter Luepke
RB Phil Mafah
WR Jonathan Mingo
LS Trent Sieg
EDGE Tyrus Wheat
