Cowboys agree to terms to bring back Sam Williams

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 23: Sam Williams #54 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys made it a priority to address their EDGE situation and trade for Rashan Gary before the legal tampering period kicked off today. They decided one move wasn't enough and needed to round out the room with a familiar face.

The #Cowboys are bringing back DE Sam Williams on a one-year, $3 million deal, per me and @SlaterNFL. He returns to Dallas on a deal negotiated by his agent @AndreOdom. pic.twitter.com/wb9hhtnPPK

- Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2026

Dallas is going to re-sign defensive end Sam Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal, per Mike Garafolo and Jane Slater of NFL Network. After coming back from his torn ACL, Williams was looking to prove himself to be the edge rusher the Cowboys hoped he would become after being drafted in the second round. Once Micah Parsons was shipped off to Green Bay, it left the door wide open for Williams to take advantage. It didn't come together for him in 2025.

Turning the page to 2026, the defense gets to keep some of its depth at a position that had just James Houston as the sole healthy edge player heading into today. Under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, Williams is going to get another shot.

Williams has become an ace special teams player, so if this signing is to keep a quality player on that side of the ball around, it makes total sense. But there's another chance for him to be a part of the Cowboys' rotation of pass rushers this season. Maybe this time will be different.