The Dallas Cowboys used to have a feared pass rush. It might not have been great during the playoffs, but it wasn't that long ago when the team had a top edge-rushing duo reeking havoc on opposing offenses. In 2024, Micah Parsons notched his fourth-straight double-digit sack season, racking up 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons. After his trade to Green Bay, Dallas struggled to convert pressures into sacks, not having anyone capable of capitalizing on their backfield excursions.
The team hopes to have better fortune, thanks to a couple offseason additions and a more creative defensive scheme, designed by new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. After signing the 34-year old in January, Dallas also went out and grabbed Marcus Dixon to coach
the defensive line and BT Jordan to coach the pass rushers. Then, when it came to build the roster, they began by trading for Rashan Gary, formerly of the same Packers whom Parsons was sent to.
Gary came with a middle-of-the-road price tag, $32 million over two seasons, but with a reputation as a middle-of-the-road skillset. That doesn't necessarily mean Dallas will only get middle-of-the-road production. In fact, in The Athletic's article on Bold Predictions for each of the 32 NFL teams, Gary gets the Cowboys' honor with a prediction of attaining double-digit sacks.
Gary’s career high is 9.5 sacks in 2021. He had 7.5 each of the last two seasons in Green Bay. He has looked like an extremely motivated player throughout training camp, getting as much pressure as any Dallas edge rusher. And the opportunities should be there with an interior defensive line that includes Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku are the expected starters at outside linebacker. Von Miller and rookie Malachi Lawrence should see a lot of opportunities behind them. If Gary, 28, stays healthy, he has a chance to have a big year in Christian Parker’s new defensive scheme. — Jon Machota
The 2025 Cowboys were paced by Jadeveon Clowney's 8.5 sacks, but 4.5 of those came in the final two games of the season, after Dallas was already eliminated from the playoffs. If Gary can reach a meaningful, double-digit number, it will likely mean much better results for the team's defense, which will mean much better results for the team as a whole.
Dallas ranked 32nd in starting field position last season. More sacks should equate to more turnovers and punts for opposing teams, and should set up Dak Prescott and the offense with better opportunities. If Gary can spearhead that campaign, it will be a fourth-round pick that wa well worth it.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Bold Prediction: The Athletic says Cowboys $32M acquisition to reach key metric
