It’s been quite a busy couple of months for the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry and Stephen Jones got several deals done, extending the contracts of DaRon Bland, Jake Ferguson, Hunter Luepke, and, more recently, Tyler Smith.

Of course, they didn’t get the most important deal done. Instead of giving Micah Parsons the no-brainer contract extension he had earned, they dragged out negotiations and got a solid-but-not-elite trade package in return.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at the roster to determine the next clear-cut candidate to get an extension. Hopefully, the Joneses will put pen to paper before this becomes another unnecessary drama.

Cowboys Need to Extend Sam Williams

With Micah Parsons no longer there, the need to extend DE Sam Williams has become all the more evident. He was already a candidate for an extension at the right price, but with their current roster, it’s all the more obvious.

The second-round pick out of Ole Miss has flashed glimpses of strong play in his brief career. He had 8.5 sacks in both his rookie season in 2022 and in 2023 before a torn ACL forced him to miss the 2024 campaign.

He’s now entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, and given his physical traits and the lack of depth at the position, this just makes sense. Also, he’s coming off a season-ending injury, meaning his asking price might be at its lowest.

Granted, he wasn’t much of a factor in the season opener, logging just three tackles, but it was his first game back in action. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and with his athleticism, wingspan, and strength, he’s just worth a look.

He still needs to clean up his act and avoid getting so many penalties, but the potential is most definitely there.

Sam Williams Has to Step Up

Then again, it’s also worth noting that the Cowboys took a promising and unpolished prospect like Donovan Ezeiruaku in the 2025 NFL Draft. Clearly, they believe he can be a factor in the future.

That’s why Williams also needs to play harder than ever in the first stretch of the season to keep the rookie pass-rusher off the field. There’s nothing like a contract year to motivate a player to be at his best, and with Micah Parsons no longer on the premises, the table is set for Williams to show why they need to keep him around.