Sam Williams comfortably made it back in time for the start of the 2025 NFL campaign from the torn ACL he suffered in July 2024. However, the veteran defensive end is struggling to make the impact he had on the Dallas Cowboys before the unfortunate offseason injury.
The brutal non-contact training camp ailment has ostensibly changed the trajectory of Williams' career for the worse. He's been a shell of the player who finished tied for fifth in the 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, to say the least.
Perhaps Williams is still shaking off the rust; there's a clear difference between "return to play" and "return to form," especially after a knee issue. Nevertheless, he's in the final year of his rookie contract, so time is working against him to make a lasting impression on Dallas' brain trust.
Cowboys EDGE Sam Williams is running out of time to prove himself in Dallas
The Cowboys' once-promising 2022 draft class is losing its luster and slowly aging ungracefully. Cornerback DaRon Bland's nagging left foot issue has raised questions about his long-term outlook with Dallas. Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert has been fully phased out of the picture, and Williams is slowly but surely following suit.
Williams has seen a notable dip in playing time as the season has progressed. He logged a 50 percent defensive snap rate in Weeks 1 through 7, which has gone down to 37.2 across Dallas' ensuing seven contests. The second-round pick from Ole Miss' opportunities are dwindling -- as his standing with the franchise.
Entering the Christmas Day game against Washington, Williams' 54.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade was 95th out of 112 qualified edge defenders. Oddly, he ranks even worse when evaluating his efforts solely as a pass rusher or run defender. While that math may not add up in his favor, the metrics tell us he's a below-average contributor in isolation.
In 14 games, 26 tackles (five for loss), four quarterback hits, one sack, one pass deflection, and a forced fumble (plus a recovery). The Cowboys' 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings effectively shattered their playoff hopes, though even a postseason run wasn't saving him from his inevitable fate.