FRISCO, Texas — Rashan Gary studies where a coordinator came from and what made him successful. He was asked Monday whether a fast start and a quiet second half last season changed how he prepared for this one.
“Man, it’s going to come in and be me. Come in and be me, man. That’s one thing I know how to do is come in and be me,” Gary said. “But last year is last year. This year is this year. And you all get to see on Sunday night.”
The Green Bay Packers took Gary 12th overall in 2019 out of Michigan. He spent seven seasons there before coming to Dallas this offseason, and players voted him onto the Dallas Cowboys‘ leadership council.
Sunday night is his first opening day as a Cowboys player. Gary said it is an honor and a privilege and that starting a new chapter in his career makes this one more special.
Rashan Gary On What A Good Start Looks Like For The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has not won a playoff game since the 2022 season and has missed the postseason two years running.
“Who don’t want to win on week one, opening week,” Gary explained. “But yeah, getting a win, number one, man, and allowing my performance to help us get that win.”
Christian Parker is in his first season running the Dallas defense. He replaced Matt Eberflus, whose unit allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025, a franchise record, along with 511 points and 60 touchdowns, both league worsts.
Gary said Parker brings swagger, confidence, and belief in his players, and that the group has been flying around and communicating since OTAs.
The Dallas Cowboys Pass Rush Rashan Gary Joined
The Cowboys traded for Quinnen Williams last November and signed him to a three-year, $105.9 million extension on Aug. 10. Kenny Clark anchors the interior next to Williams, and players voted both defensive tackles team captains. Malachi Lawrence was the first-round pick in April and Donovan Ezeiruaku is in his second season.
Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Aug. 16 and leads all active players with 138.5 career sacks. Brian Schottenheimer said Monday he sees no physical reason Miller could not play Sunday, and that Dallas has speed at every level on defense.
Jalen Thompson signed a three-year, $33 million deal and joins DaRon Bland, Caleb Downs, and Malik Hooker in the secondary. Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown are the linebackers Schottenheimer named for speed.
Gary rushes against a New York Giants line that added Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 overall, the pick New York acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals in the Dexter Lawrence trade. Jaxson Dart is entering his second season and accounted for 262 total yards and 2 passing touchdowns in the Giants’ 34-17 win over Dallas in last season’s finale. Cam Skattebo is in the backfield.
Dallas set its initial 53-man roster on Aug. 30 with 26 players on defense. Monday was a bonus practice day and the Cowboys are off Tuesday.
The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 last season. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
