DALLAS — Troy Aikman said the Dallas Cowboys spent the last several years handing their defense to former head coaches, and that Christian Parker has brought an energy and an urgency to the job that the previous hires did not. Aikman made the comments Tuesday on The Rich Eisen Show.
Dallas hired Parker on Jan. 22 to replace Matt Eberflus. Parker is 34 and is the youngest defensive coordinator in franchise history. He spent the previous two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, and three seasons before that as the Denver Broncos defensive backs coach. He had never called a defense.
The three coordinators before him had all run NFL teams. Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Falcons head coach from 2015 to 2020, ran the Dallas defense from 2021 through 2023 before taking the Washington Commanders job. Mike Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings head coach from 2014 to 2021, replaced him for the 2024 season. Eberflus, the Chicago Bears head coach from 2022 to 2024, replaced Zimmer for 2025.
From what Aikman can tell, Dallas has fixed the defensive problems of a year ago, and he called Parker a really good hire.
“But I know from experience, what Dallas has done over the last several years when they’ve needed a defensive coordinator, they’ve kind of gone back to a defensive guy who had been a head coach,” Aikman said. “And whatever their reasoning is for that is irrelevant. But sometimes when you hire a guy who’s never done it before, there’s an energy and an urgency that coach brings. And I sense that Christian Parker has brought that.”
“I know in hearing the comments from all of the players, they really like what he has done,” Aikman continued. “They’re excited about it. I think this defense, not only do I think they’re going to be a lot better than they were a year ago, I think they’re going to be a competitive group that could be certainly above average, which a lot of people are talking about if they could just be average paired with that offense.”
Parker has said the unit will be a 3-4 by nature with 4-3 spacing and a 4-2-5 nickel package. Dallas has not run a 3-4 base since 2012.
Christian Parker Follows Dan Quinn, Mike Zimmer And Matt Eberflus
The Cowboys gave up 511 points last season, 30.1 a game, the most in the NFL. They ranked 30th in yards allowed, 32nd in net yards per pass attempt and 32nd on third down, where opponents converted 47.3%. Dallas recorded 34 sacks and six interceptions.
Aikman said the excitement around the team is real and that the Dallas front office believes it has done good work.
“I’m excited about Dallas,” Aikman explained. “I really am. I think they potentially could be a real contender as we move through the rest of the season, through the season and then into the postseason. Obviously, a big part of it is, is have they fixed the defensive problems from a year ago? And from what I can tell, I believe they have. I think they made a really good hire in Christian Parker. Time will tell.”
Dallas Cowboys Additions Around Christian Parker
Dallas rebuilt the front seven around Parker. Quinnen Williams, acquired from the New York Jets at the 2025 trade deadline for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and Mazi Smith, signed a three-year, $105.9 million extension on Aug. 10 that runs through 2030. Kenny Clark came over in the August 2025 trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
A 2027 fourth-round pick went to Green Bay in March for Rashan Gary, who had 46.5 sacks over seven seasons with the Packers and made the Pro Bowl in 2024. Von Miller signed a one-year deal on Aug. 16. Dallas used both of its first-round picks on defense, taking safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Parker built out his own defensive staff after he was hired. Dallas opens the regular season Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
