The Dallas Cowboys are facing a challenge as they prepare for the 2026 season: they've lost their star edge rusher, Demarcus Lawrence, to the Seattle Seahawks, and their top pass rusher, Micah Parsons, is out with a serious knee injury. To make matters worse, they've traded away another key player, Osa Odighizuwa, and Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent. But head coach Brian Schottenheimer isn't worried. He believes in the team's depth and a "it-takes-a-village" approach to pass rushing.
"Some of the best pass-rushing teams I know we've faced don't have necessarily one guy," Schottenheimer said. "It's easier to shut one guy down. One elite guy, you can pay a lot of attention to." This philosophy is reflected in the team's current roster, which includes several promising edge rushers.
Rashan Gary, a 2019 first-round pick, is expected to lead the charge. However, he's never reached double-digit sacks in a season, and his performance last year with the Packers was inconsistent. Malachi Lawrence, a rookie first-rounder, and James Houston, who had a strong rookie season with the Detroit Lions, are also part of the mix. Despite their potential, these players have yet to live up to their draft status.
The Cowboys' pass rush by committee approach is being led by defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who has a proven track record. Parker was a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles, who won back-to-back NFC East titles and Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles' success was partly due to their ability to generate pressure from multiple pass rushers, none of whom had more than eight sacks in the last two seasons.
The Cowboys' 2025 season was a disappointment, with a 7-9-1 record and a defense that was 31st in points allowed. The team's lack of a standout pass rusher was a significant factor in their struggles. But with a deep and talented group of edge rushers, the Cowboys are confident they can improve their pass rush and turn around their defense in 2026.
The key to their success will be the team's ability to execute Schottenheimer's "it-takes-a-village" philosophy. By relying on a collective effort, the Cowboys can overcome the loss of their star players and potentially surprise the league with a strong pass rush.
