The team had been in the mix to land Maxx Crosby, even after Baltimore made an aggressive offer, and there was a possibility Dallas could have landed Crosby had their trade and physical evaluation gone differently. When that path did not materialize, the front office pivoted to a backup plan, with Gary entering as the marquee newcomer.
Gary enters his eighth NFL season and is expected to be the top pass-rusher for Dallas. In effect, he is stepping into a role that would have belonged to Crosby had the team secured him, while Parsons would have been part of the edge-setting responsibilities. This creates a high-pressure scenario for Gary, who is widely viewed as the most stressed newcomer on a roster that is counting on immediate impact from several new faces.
From a media perspective, Gary’s placement on critics’ lists of players under pressure highlights his load. While other new faces like Cobie Durant, Caleb Downs, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are perceived as needing to prove themselves, Gary comes in with proven NFL experience and a significant contract commitment. Dallas gave him a two-year, $32 million deal after acquiring him with a mid-round pick.
As training camp approaches, expectations for Gary’s impact are clear. He is expected to be the focal point of the Cowboys’ pass rush, taking on responsibilities akin to what Crosby would have provided, and proving a high standard given his veteran status and the team’s recent edge-setting struggles. The defense has shifted, and with an increase in attention on the front line, Gary carries a substantial portion of the pressure to perform at a high level.
On the field, Gary is expected to start alongside Donovan Ezeiruaku with rookie Malachi Lawrence probably playing a significant role as well. The Cowboys have depth behind them, but none of the backups has yet established a proven track record of consistently reaching the quarterback. Gary has demonstrated the potential to reach high sack totals—up to 9.5 in a season in the past—but he did not record a sack in the final nine games of the previous season as he faced increased double-teaming after Parsons was sidelined with an injury.
In Dallas, Gary will face double-teams, and his ability to handle that pressure will be a major determinant of how effective the Cowboys’ defense can be in 2026. If he can sustain production despite the extra attention, Dallas could see a meaningful improvement along the defensive front and a corresponding uptick in overall team performance.
This overview captures the central themes surrounding Rashan Gary’s introduction to the Cowboys, the anticipated distribution of responsibilities on the defensive line, and the high expectations for an offense that is expected to remain strong with all starters returning. The path to a successful season will hinge on Gary’s ability to be a disruptive force in a scheme that is designed to elevate the whole unit.
