Cowboys linebacker room looks bleak for 2025

The Cowboys are thin at linebacker this season, and that shows with only six players listed on their depth chart. Dallas was thin at linebacker last season as well, and to remedy that this offseason, they signed veterans Eric Kendricks and Nick Vigil, and drafted Marist Liufau in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Here is the list of the linebackers currently under contract for the Dallas Cowboys:

Eric Kendricks

DeMarvion Overshown

Marist Liufau

Nick Vigil

Damone Clark

Buddy Johnson

Last season, Dan Quinn experimented with S Markquese Bell at linebacker, and Bell was one of the highest graded linebackers in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. Unfortunately, he is not available this season after suffering an injured shoulder and landing on Injured Reserve.

DeMarvion Overshown’s devastating injury coupled with the fact that the Cowboys’ season is essentially down the drain made me think towards the future at the linebacker position. I must say, after doing the research, the Cowboys’ linebacker room looks bleak for the 2025 season.

Likely Departures

Here is a list of the linebackers who are not under contract for the 2025 season.

Nick Vigil

Nick Vigil has been on the injury report nearly every week this season, but he still manages to take the field and make an impact. It’s mostly on special teams, but Vigil has been a nice veteran addition to the team.

I can see the Cowboys bringing him back on another one-year deal next season, but there will also be a fresh crop of free agent linebackers to choose from. At the rate that the Cowboys sign cheap veteran free agents, Vigil is just another name on the list for them.

Eric Kendricks

Eric Kendricks has been a quality addition to the defense this season, bringing smarts and play-making ability that we haven’t seen since Sean Lee. His body might not be as fast as it used to be, but his high football IQ makes up for that.

Kendricks was brought in specifically by DC Mike Zimmer, and unless Zimmer plans to come back as defensive coordinator for 2025, I don’t think Kendricks is a candidate to re-sign.

Returning Players

Below are the linebackers on the Cowboys’ roster who are still under contract for the 2025 season.

Damone Clark

Damone Clark has disappointed after it appeared his arrow was pointing up after a promising sophomore season in 2023. His delay in development has caused him to fall out of favor with the current defensive staff.

Clark has played a career-high 68% of the special teams snaps this season, compared to just 22% of the snaps on defense. He has completely fallen out of the linebacker rotation.

Unless he is so incredibly terrible next offseason or the Cowboys feel desperate enough to cut him just to save $1.1 million, there is no reason that Clark won’t be back in 2025 for the final year of his rookie contract.

Maybe the new defensive staff can reinvigorate his development, and he can once again be a part of the linebacker rotation.

Buddy Johnson

Buddy Johnson is a practice squad player who made the 53-man roster due to injuries and desperation. He is not a starting caliber player in the NFL, but he can contribute to special teams.

Johnson is under contract for the 2025 season before becoming a restricted free agent for 2026. He will return next season in his role on special teams and as the top practice squad linebacker.

Marist Liufau

Rookie Marist Liufau has shown flashes of talent in his limited playing time, but he is in line for a much larger role after Overshown’s injury. The 3rd round pick recorded 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss, and 2 QB hits after entering the game.

Liufau should be a bright spot at linebacker in 2025, and will likely be a starter moving forward.

DeMarvion Overshown

Let me start by saying that I am absolutely devastated about Overshown. What a terrible injury after playing so well this season. His career is just getting started, and hopefully, we look back 10 years from now and this injury is just a bump in the road.

Due to the fact that he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in his knee, it’s very possible he is not available in 2025 at all. We may not see Overshown until 2026.

As of right now, the Cowboys’ starting three at linebacker in their 4-3 base defense are Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, and Buddy Johnson. Not exactly a murderer’s row of linebackers in the second level.

This lineup won’t strike fear into any offensive coordinator, but the Cowboys could also break glass in case of emergency and move Micah Parsons back to an off-the-ball linebacker role. It’s not the greatest idea to take your best pass-rusher out of position, but it’s something the Cowboys may have to do to remain competitive.