FRISCO, Texas -- Coming into the season, expectations were high for the Dallas Cowboys defense.
They re-signed defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a five-year, $105 million deal. They extended the contract of up-and-coming linebacker Jaylon Smith. Leighton Vander Esch was a Pro Bowler and second-team All Pro as a rookie in 2018. They added pass-rusher Robert Quinn in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Except for the suspended Randy Gregory, the unit returned every key figure from a defense that finished ranked seventh in yards per game and sixth in points per game in 2018.