After a tempestuous first two months, the Dallas Cowboys' defense has round into form in the back half of the schedule. The group's resurgence has many convinced that Mike Zimmer should be back as defensive coordinator regardless if Mike McCarthy is the head coach.
It's a surprising turn of events given the defense couldn't stop a nosebleed early in the season. Despite navigating a multitude of injuries, Zimmer has Micah Parsons and Co. playing inspired football.
The Cowboys are finally getting after opposing quarterbacks and generating takeaways. They sacked Bryce Young six times on Sunday and forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and forced fumbles apiece.
This is the defense Cowboys fans envisioned when Zimmer was hired. It's on the front office to re-sign key players in the offseason to ensure Zimmer can continue to succeed. While there are obvious must-keep free agents like Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis, an under-the-radar contributor should be high on the priority list as well.
Cowboys have no choice but to re-sign pass rusher Carl Lawson
Cowboys fans screamed throughout free agency for the team to sign Lawson, but they waited until after Sam Williams' tore his ACL in training camp to bring him in. The former fourth-round pick has quietly put together a strong season as a situational pass rusher.
Lawson is up to five sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 12 games. Before Monday Night Football, he posted the third-highest pass-rush grade (91.5) this week among all defenders, per Pro Football Focus. He's generated at least five pressures and two QB hits in two of the last three games and finished with a game-high 33.3% pass-rush win rate on Sunday.
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The eighth-year pro was signed right before Dallas' second preseason game, meaning he missed most of the offseason and training camp. He was always going to need time to settle in. Now comfortable in his role and Zimmer's scheme, Lawson has found his stride.
The Cowboys should absolutely bring Lawson back in 2025. Having a disruptive situational pass rusher is a luxury in today's NFL and Dallas' defensive end room has a lot of question marks beyond this season.
It's no guarantee that DeMarcus Lawrence will be back and Sam Williams could open training camp on the PUP list. Furthermore, promising rookie Marshawn Kneeland is still developing as a pass rusher. While already a strong run defender, Kneeland's produced just six pressures and four QB hits on 103 pass-rush snaps.
Lawson could be No. 2 on the depth chart next summer when the team leaves for Oxnard. He's exceeded expectations as an emergency signing. Zimmer has learned how to maximize his potential. Assuming Zimmer is back next year, Lawson should be too.