The Dallas Cowboys are close to finalizing a deal to hire Christian Parker, the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator, as their next defensive coordinator. Parker was interviewed in person on Wednesday, and contract negotiations were nearing completion by Thursday. The information was shared with The Associated Press by two individuals familiar with the process, who spoke anonymously because the agreement had not yet been made official.
At just 34 years old, Parker represents a younger, emerging coaching presence for a Dallas defense in need of a reset after a disappointing season.
Parker Thrives In Philadelphia, Driving Elite Defense, Championships, And Rapid Player Development
Parker has spent the past two seasons with the Eagles as their passing game coordinator, a stretch that coincided with significant team success. Philadelphia won the NFC East in both seasons, becoming the first team in 21 years to repeat as division champions. The Eagles also won the Super Bowl last season, further elevating Parker’s profile across the league.
Defensively, Philadelphia ranked among the NFL’s elite units during Parker’s tenure. The Eagles were especially strong against the pass, leading the league in pass defense in 2024 and consistently ranking near the top in overall defensive performance.4
Christian Parker (NFL)One of Parker’s most notable contributions in Philadelphia was his role in developing young defensive backs. His arrival aligned with the emergence of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both of whom earned All-Pro honors in just their second NFL seasons. Mitchell was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, while DeJean was a second-round pick.
DeJean publicly credited Parker for his growth, posting on social media that he “wouldn’t be the player I am” without Parker’s guidance. The praise highlighted Parker’s reputation as a coach capable of accelerating player development, particularly in the secondary.
Dallas Seeks Reset After Historically Poor Defense, Coordinator Turnover, And Philosophical Shift
The Cowboys are turning to Parker following a historically poor defensive season. Dallas fired Matt Eberflus after just one year as defensive coordinator. Under Eberflus, the Cowboys allowed a franchise-record 511 points, the first time the team had ever surrendered more than 500 points in a season.
Dallas finished near the bottom of the NFL in points allowed, total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and takeaways. The defense struggled with missed tackles and blown coverages, undermining one of the best seasons of quarterback Dak Prescott’s career. The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, marking the first time since 2019 they failed to reach the postseason with a healthy Prescott.
If finalized, Parker’s hiring would signal a change in approach for Dallas. He would become the Cowboys’ first defensive coordinator without previous head coaching experience since Monte Kiffin 13 years ago. The team’s previous five defensive coordinators had all been former NFL head coaches.
Parker’s professional journey includes significant experience under veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He served as Fangio’s defensive backs coach in Denver beginning in 2021 and remained in that role for three seasons before joining Fangio again in Philadelphia.
Before entering the NFL, Parker played college football at Richmond and began his coaching career at the collegiate level, with stints as a defensive analyst at Texas A&M and Notre Dame. His first NFL coaching role came with the Green Bay Packers in 2019.
