The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason facing a defensive identity crisis that affects every level, but the one area with the most questions is the linebacker position. Last year, the linebacker unit played like a revolving door, contributing to a defense that surrendered a staggering 6.1 yards per play, most in the NFC. The Cowboys ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing success rate allowed, frequently letting opposing running backs reach the third level without being touched.
The struggles
were widespread across the depth chart, as both veterans and rookies failed to find their footing. Kenneth Murray Jr. often looked lost in space. Marist Liufau was routinely washed out of plays, while rookie Shemar James struggled mightily with his run fits, often choosing the wrong gap and leaving massive lanes for explosive plays. It was a collection of errors from the linebacker group, forcing the Cowboys to put up a ‘Help Wanted’ sign in free agency.
A popular name being thrown around the Cowboys water cooler is Quincy Williams, the older brother of stud defensive tackle Quinnen, who the team acquired midseason last year. At the time of the trade, there were talks that the Cowboys were also trying to land Quincy as part of the deal. That never manifested, but now he enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, leading some to believe a family reunion could be in order.
Quincy brings an interesting résumé that will garner interest this spring. He is only a couple of years removed from an All-Pro season where he recorded 139 tackles, 15 of them for losses. He also defended 10 passes, had two sacks, and one pick that he returned for a touchdown. He had four straight seasons with at least 100 tackles before that streak ended last year.
Williams has consistently shown the ability to track down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. He possesses the twitchy athleticism to be a vertical threat in the blitz game and hits people so hard that it knocks their helmet off. Literally.
While some intriguing athletic traits make Williams a fun player to watch, the weaknesses of his game do not mesh with the philosophy of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. For example, Parker’s system demands sharp gap discipline and spacing, two areas where Williams has struggled. Last season, Williams was benched by the Jets for frequent over-pursuit and a lack of situational awareness that left his teammates exposed.
His misguided aggressiveness is only part of the problem. Parker requires his linebackers to be able to slide into coverage and take away parts of the field as they employ a multitude of zone coverages. Williams has struggled in coverage and was frequently targeted by opposing defenses.
Finally, Parker counts on his guys to be reliable tacklers. This has been a buggaboo for Williams throughout his career, culminating in a horrible missed tackle rate of 15.7% last season. He has a lot of good tools to be a good linebacker in this league, but he’s not an ideal fit for what the new coaching staff requires.
While the story of the Williams brothers leading the Dallas defense is a public relations dream, it has the potential to be a schematic nightmare for a team that needs disciplined run defenders. This team cannot afford to prioritize nepotism over fundamental football if they want to get their defense off the field quicker. The Cowboys need a technician to solve their defensive woes, and unfortunately, Williams is a wrecking ball that often swings at the wrong building.
