Ahead of this year’s free agency period, defensive end appeared to be a position the Cowboys could keep as a strength of their defense while transitioning from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer as coordinator. Knowing the team prioritizes retaining their own free agents while equally counting on homegrown talent to develop instead of overpaying outside players, Dallas had choices to make with two pass rushers on expiring deals in Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong. Both players opted to follow Quinn, and the money, to Washington, and the Cowboys sat on their hands in trying to replace either of the pair that accounted for 11.
Cowboys scheme change may help with loss of Sam Williams, but pass rush remains a need
