We're weeks away from training camp, but pass rusher Rashan Gary isn't wasting any time. He's taking time to work with the Dallas Cowboys' 23rd overall pick.

The veteran defender, who was traded from the Green Bay Packers this offseason, was seen working out with rookie Malachi Lawrence, building chemistry in their first offseason with the Cowboys.

“Cowboys Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence working out together,” per Blogging the Boys staff writer Brandon Loree's X post on July 2. “Gary has been praised for his leadership since arriving in Dallas. Becoming a mentor to Lawrence is another example. Both players head into their first training camp with the Cowboys.” 

This is a welcome sight for fans after last season. The Cowboys' pass rush unit struggled after the trade of linebacker Micah Parsons to the Packers before the 2025 season. And the consequences were clear. The Cowboys were the worst passing defense in the league, giving up 251.5 yards on average.

Recognizing the urgency, Dallas overhauled its defense this offseason. Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence, the team has brought the likes of Jaishawn Barham and Jalen Thompson on the defense. The overhaul extends to the coaching staff: new DC Christian Parker arrives from Philadelphia.

Coming back to Rashan Gary, he has already established himself as the leader of the outside linebacker room, and his locker room presence has impressed the rookie even more. 

“He's very focused on the small details," Lawrence said, per Tommy Yarrish of Dallas Cowboys.com. "Whether it's false stepping, whether it's working on our steps to get into the tackle, just little things like that. He's big on me with that."

As for Lawrence, he is expected to contribute adequately as a rotational piece behind Gary and Ezeiruaku, along with the mix of James Houston and Sam Williams.

Despite his leadership qualities and familiarity with DC Parker's system, Gary has been identified by one analyst as a potential worst-case scenario if he fails to deliver.

But pressure mounts: Can Gary deliver on defensive overhaul?

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report believes that the Cowboys' defense needs to step up its game, particularly the new roster additions, including Gary, as they are expected to overturn a unit that allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025.

"There are no guarantees in the NFL," Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report wrote in his article. "Gary hasn't had eight sacks in a season since 2023. The Cowboys are counting on drastic improvement defensively. If the team doesn't get it, all that offseason moving and shaking will be regarded as a disappointment."

Gary has recorded 7.5 sacks for two consecutive years, with 2021 being his best campaign as he posted 9.5 sacks with the Packers and nine sacks in 2023.

Davenport argues that the Cowboys' defensive additions must produce immediate results in the regular season for the defensive revamp to be considered a success.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar