The Dallas Cowboys have a serious pass-rush problem heading into the 2026 NFL season. Last season, Dallas finished tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in the entire NFL. This statistic indicates a defense that consistently struggled to apply pressure on quarterbacks during critical moments.
Now, the pressure is on the front office to fix it.
Analyst Alex Kennedy of Pro Football and Sports Network recently proposed the Cowboys as a landing spot for veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick. The suggestion carries some surface-level logic. Reddick is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with a resume that once made him one of the most feared pass rushers in the league.
However, that version of Reddick feels like a distant memory.
Kennedy himself acknowledged the risk. Coming off two disappointing seasons in a row, a return to Pro Bowl form seems unlikely for the aging veteran. Still, among 123 qualified edge rushers last season, Reddick ranked No. 36 overall in EDGEi scoring — technically above average, but far from elite.
That ranking only provides a partial view of the situation.
The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
Reddick’s production decline is sharp and consistent. After recording double-digit sacks in four straight seasons—including a career-best 16 with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022— the veteran defensive end has fallen off dramatically.
Over the past two seasons combined, Reddick has managed just 3.5 total sacks. That breaks down to one sack in 2024 and 2.5 sacks in 2025. In 13 games last season, he added 34 pressures but posted Pro Football Focus grades of just 60.1 in pass rush and a troubling 45.2 in run defense.
Knee and ankle injuries cost him four games in 2025 alone. Reddick turns 32 in September. At that age, with that injury history and that production curve, a meaningful rebound becomes increasingly unlikely.
Rashan Gary Adds Another Layer of Risk
The Cowboys’ edge rusher situation is further complicated by uncertainty surrounding Rashan Gary. Dallas acquired the former Packers linebacker to anchor the position, but Gary delivered a disappointing second half of last season. That performance is widely believed to be why Green Bay was open to moving on from him.
Therefore, if Gary struggles again in 2026, the Cowboys cannot afford Reddick as their primary backup plan. That combination of question marks along the defensive line would leave Dallas dangerously exposed throughout the season.
From our field observation, building a pass rush around two declining or unproven veterans is exactly the kind of roster construction mistake that derails otherwise competitive teams before the season even starts.
Better Veteran Options Are Still Available
Smarter alternatives exist in NFL free agency. Two aging pass rushers have proven they can still produce at a high level.
Cam Jordan posted an impressive 10.5 sacks last season at 36 years old. Von Miller, despite his own injury history, delivered nine sacks in 2025. Either veteran would bring far more recent production and reliability than Reddick currently offers.
Jadeveon Clowney remains another intriguing and potentially overlooked option. Dallas has reportedly cooled on Clowney, believing he does not fit coordinator Christian Parker’s defensive system. That assessment, however, may be premature.
Clowney has actually spent more of his NFL career operating in a 3-4 front than any other scheme. He logged five seasons in Houston’s 3-4 system with the Texans and an additional season with the Baltimore Ravens. Parker’s defensive principles, therefore, should not automatically disqualify the former No. 1 overall pick from serious consideration.
The 2026 NFL Draft Offers a Long-Term Fix
Beyond veteran free agency, the Cowboys cannot overlook the 2026 NFL Draft as a critical piece of this puzzle. A Day 1 or Day 2 edge rusher selection would provide Dallas with a high-upside, cost-controlled pass rusher to develop alongside any veteran signing.
That combination — one proven veteran edge rusher and one talented rookie — gives the Cowboys the most sustainable path toward fixing their pass-rush depth. Relying solely on aging free agents is a short-term patch, not a long-term solution.
Dallas carries enough financial flexibility to pursue a legitimate veteran option without resorting to a low-ceiling gamble like Reddick. Spending that cap space wisely could define the team’s defensive identity for years to come.
The Verdict
Reddick on a one-year bargain contract might appear low-risk at first glance. Still, even inexpensive signings carry real opportunity costs. A roster spot used on a fading veteran is a roster spot unavailable for a player with genuine upside.
A blockbuster addition like Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby would be the dream scenario for Dallas. Realistically, that kind of splash move appears unlikely given current market conditions.
As a result, Dallas must be smart and selective. Clowney, Miller, or Jordan—paired with a strong edge rusher selected in the 2026 NFL Draft—provides the Cowboys a far stronger foundation than Haason Reddick ever could at this stage of his career.
Getting the edge rusher equation right is not optional for Dallas in 2026. It is essential.
