Cowboys Make Defensive End Decision After Von Miller News

Cowboys’ Von Miller Addition Changed the Equation

Williams’ release comes two weeks after Dallas agreed to terms with Miller, adding the future Hall of Fame pass rusher to an increasingly crowded group of edge defenders.

Miller, 37, spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders and showed he still had something left in the tank.

The eight-time Pro Bowler recorded nine sacks, 26 tackles and six tackles for loss while appearing in all 17 games. He produced those numbers while playing only 420 defensive snaps.

Dallas signed Miller hoping he could provide another proven pass-rushing option in defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s defense.

But Miller wasn’t the Cowboys’ only major addition.

Dallas also acquired Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, adding another established pass rusher to a group that already included Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence.

Suddenly, there weren’t many snaps left to go around.

Williams became one of the players squeezed out.

Sam Williams’ Cowboys Return Lasted Only One Offseason

Dallas originally selected Williams in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss.

His Cowboys career included flashes of the athleticism and pass-rushing potential that made him an intriguing prospect, but he never developed into a consistent full-time starter.

Williams missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL during training camp.

He returned in 2025 and appeared in all 17 games, making five starts. Williams finished the season with 37 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack.

That was enough for Dallas to give him another opportunity.

Williams made it clear in May that returning to the Cowboys was his preferred outcome despite receiving interest from other teams.

“It was a no-brainer,” Williams said of returning to Dallas. “I got other offers at other places, but once the Cowboys wanted me back, it was a no-brainer.”

There was also supposed to be a new role waiting for him.

Williams had previously operated primarily as a defensive end in Dallas’ 4-3 scheme, but the Cowboys planned to use him differently under Parker.

That experiment won’t make it to Week 1.

Cowboys Go in Different Direction With Pass Rush

Williams’ release shows just how quickly an NFL depth chart can change.

When Dallas re-signed him in March, Williams appeared positioned to compete for a significant role in the Cowboys’ rebuilt pass rush.

Then came Gary.

Then came Miller.

Dallas now enters the season with Gary, Miller, Ezeiruaku, Lawrence, Houston and Tyrus Wheat among its edge options. Williams was officially included among seven veterans released Sunday as the Cowboys reduced their roster to 53 players.

For Williams, the timing at least gives the 27-year-old an opportunity to find another team before the regular season begins.

For Dallas, the decision represents another step in an aggressive overhaul of a pass rush that needed help after recording only 35 sacks last season, tied for 24th in the NFL.

The Cowboys brought Williams back believing he could be part of the solution.

Five months and several major additions later, they’ve decided they no longer need him.