FRISCO, Texas — Stephen Jones said Friday that the hug he gave Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker at practice this week was just him saying hi.
Parker’s first game calling the Dallas defense was a 28-20 loss to the New York Giants. New York gained 394 yards and converted 9 of 11 third downs. All Jones told Parker was to have a hell of a week, he said Friday on 105.3 The Fan’s “G-Bag Nation.”
“No, just saying hi. Hell, I’m a hugger,” Jones said. “I hug him up, and anybody who knows me knows that. And no, it wasn’t anything extra special there. It was just what I do when I see guys and just say, ‘Hey, let’s have us a hell of a week,’ and fired up about it. And I am fired up. I know Jerry is too. And I look forward to getting back out on the field.”
Christian Parker’s Debut As Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator
Dallas hired Parker in January after he coached defensive backs and served as pass game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the fourth man to call the Dallas defense since 2021. In 2025, the Cowboys allowed 511 points and finished last in the NFL in scoring defense at 30.1 points per game.
The Giants ran for 165 yards on 37 carries and held the ball for 36:40. Dallas forced 4 fumbles and recovered 1. On Monday, Jones said the Cowboys probably jumped the gun with their expectations for a defense breaking in a new coordinator. By Friday, he said improvement on defense is realistic.
“So these are just all things that we have to understand. We have to own them, and we have to improve upon them,” Jones said. “But I do think it’s realistic that we will continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t think it’s unrealistic to have high, high expectations for the offensive side and know ultimately defense is striving to be good if not great on the defensive side.”
“They certainly understand we have a ways to go and we have to own the performance last Sunday, but don’t live with it,” Jones continued. “It’s one loss and it is one bad performance, but certainly understand that we want to [be] better.”
Christian Parker’s Defense Against The Washington Commanders
Jones said in July that he spent much of the offseason in the Cowboys’ defensive meeting rooms getting to know Parker and his staff. This week, Parker lost two starters. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) and safety Malik Hooker (forearm) were ruled out Friday, and rookie Jaishawn Barham will wear the green dot.
The Cowboys defense knows it can play a lot better, Jones said.
“I know our team has a lot of confidence in themselves,” Jones said. “I know Dak on his side of the ball and his group all feel good that they can certainly do what they need to do to win games. And I know Christian and this defense know they can play a lot better and will [be] better.”
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders ran for 132 yards in a 24-22 loss at Philadelphia in their opener. Kickoff Sunday at AT&T Stadium is 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.
