OXNARD, Calif. — Rashan Gary already knows what Von Miller‘s offseason work looks like. The two have trained together, and Gary said Monday that having Miller beside him rather than across a workout floor changes what he can get out of it.
“It’s an honor and privilege, getting a chance to work with a future Hall of Famer,” Gary said. “I’ve been able to work out with him in the offseason, got to pick his brain. So it’s going to be completely different, having him right beside me, able to get tips and things like that on hand.
“But just talking about what he’s able to bring to the defense, bring to the defensive line, more pressure, more confidence, and more swagger,” Gary continued. “A lot more guys that you need to account for. So, happy. Excited.”
The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms with Miller on Sunday night, a one-year deal worth $5.5 million that can reach $7.5 million. Dallas waived wide receiver Traeshon Holden on Monday to open the roster spot.
What It Says About Where Dallas Is
Gary arrived in Dallas this offseason in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. He has 46.5 career sacks in 106 games and was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2024.
He was asked what the signing says about the Cowboys, with the Los Angeles Rams making moves of their own this offseason.
“Today, beginning of the offseason, every move that the Cowboys did,” Gary said. “Serious about winning, and winning right now.”
Dallas allowed 511 points last season, most in the NFL, and finished 30th in yards allowed. The Cowboys rebuilt around that, hiring Christian Parker as coordinator in January, trading for Gary, and drafting Caleb Downs 11th overall and Malachi Lawrence 23rd.
Not A Surprise To Rashan Gary
Miller turned 37 in March and has 138.5 career sacks in 203 games, the most among active players. He had 9 sacks for the Washington Commanders last season on 420 defensive snaps across all 17 games, and he has not played since Jan. 4.
He is an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl champion, the Super Bowl 50 Most Valuable Player, and the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“Not surprised. That’s my man,” Gary said. “Like I said, we’re talking about future Hall of Famer, man. And he puts up numbers on a consistent basis, and that’s what Hall of Famers does. Game respects game.”
Asked what he appreciates about Miller that a fan would not see, Gary went to the mental side.
“Just how smart he is, man. He’s a true football player,” Gary explained. “Understanding formations, understanding how to get his opponent to play inside his will. Basically everything he wanted to do, man. So just his approach to the game.”
What Two Rings Do To A Room
Malik Hooker is entering his 10th NFL season and his sixth with Dallas. He was asked Monday what a two-time champion does to a locker room.
“It just makes other guys around him, not only just the young guys, but the vet guys, want to step their stuff up,” Hooker said. “At the end of the day, that’s the end goal for everybody that joins the NFL, to win the Super Bowl and be able to say that they was a part of a Super Bowl team. So with that, I’m sure everybody around the building is just going to want to pick their stuff up, especially on defense, just to make sure that we’re fitting that standard of what winning looks like.”
Hooker did not dress in Saturday’s 17-7 preseason win at Seattle. Neither did most of the Dallas starters.
The Room Von Miller Joins
The outside linebacker group now has three first-round picks in Gary, Lawrence, and Miller. Donovan Ezeiruaku, the 2025 second-round pick, is joined by James Houston, Sam Williams, Marist Liufau, Tyrus Wheat, and Isaiah Land.
Houston had a sack at Seattle, Land had one on fourth down at the Dallas 5, and Wheat split another with Reddy Steward. Dallas held the Seattle Seahawks to 49 net passing yards.
Gary said the group can be great with Miller in it.
“Talking about us as just as a unit, man, we could be great. The sky’s already the limit. Adding him is going to make anything better,” Gary said. “So like I said, having a guy that won Super Bowls, that won defensive player of the year, things like that, and played at a high level for a very long time, is going to be great for me and the whole outside room.”
Miller was expected in Oxnard on Monday night and is not expected to practice against New Orleans. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Dallas will bring him along rather than rush him.
Dallas hosts the New Orleans Saints for a joint practice Tuesday in Oxnard, the last open practice in California. The Cowboys return to Ford Center at The Star in Frisco for two more on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.
Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 9 p.m. CT on NFL Network, then closes the preseason against New Orleans on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. CT at AT&T Stadium.
