Rashan Gary Isn’t the Missing Piece for the Cowboys Defense; The Stats Don’t Tell the Full Story

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping Rashan Gary can help transform a defense that struggled to generate consistent pressure last season. Mickey Spagnola, an official team columnist, even labeled the former Green Bay Packers pass rusher as one of the critical pieces for Dallas heading into 2026.

That may be a bit optimistic. At first glance, Gary’s 7.5 sacks from last season look like a solid addition for a Cowboys team that desperately needed pass-rushing help. However, those numbers don’t tell the entire story.

Rashan Gary Disappeared After a Hot Start

Rashan Gary finished the 2025 season with 7.5 sacks, but every single one of them came before Week 8. He failed to record another sack for the remainder of the season, disappearing from the stat sheet over the final 10-plus games.

For a player expected to replace some of the production lost with the departures of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, that’s a concerning trend.

Consistency matters more than total sacks. A player who piles up production early before going quiet isn’t nearly as impactful as someone who creates pressure throughout the season.

Seven-and-a-half sacks isn’t elite production

The Dallas Cowboys are treating Gary like a major addition, but it’s worth remembering that 7.5 sacks isn’t an overwhelming number for an edge rusher entering his eighth NFL season.

While he has flashed throughout his career, Gary has never developed into the consistent double-digit sack producer many expected when he was selected in the first round.

Dallas certainly needed help on the edge, but expecting Gary to suddenly become the answer feels like a gamble.

Effort has been questioned at times

One of the more frustrating parts of Gary’s game has been the inconsistency in his motor.

When he’s fully engaged, Gary can be a disruptive force against both the run and the pass. He’s physically gifted, powerful, and capable of collapsing the pocket.

The problem is that those flashes haven’t always translated into four quarters of relentless effort. There have been stretches where his impact simply disappears, which is part of the reason his production has been so streaky throughout his career.

There’s still value—but expectations should be realistic

None of this is to say Gary can’t help Dallas. He’s a quality run defender, creates pressures, and brings experience to a defensive front that needed reinforcements. Those are valuable traits. But calling him the critical piece feels like a stretch.

If the Cowboys are going to field an improved defense in 2026, it will likely require contributions from multiple players—not just Gary. Rookies will have to develop, the secondary must improve under Christian Parker, and the pass rush as a whole has to become more consistent.

Gary can certainly be part of that equation. He just shouldn’t be viewed as the player who suddenly fixes everything.