Cowboys to hire Eagles' Christian Parker as defensive coordinator
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Cowboys to hire Eagles' Christian Parker as defensive coordinator
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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1 min read
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TheDallas Cowboyshave turned to a division rival to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy.
The team is working to finalize a deal to hirePhiladelphia Eaglespassing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker for the role, according to multiple reports.
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Parker, 34, has held his current position with the Eagles for the last two years under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In 2024, Philadelphia ranked first in total yards allowed and second in scoring defense, with rookie cornerbacksQuinyon MitchellandCooper DeJeanstepping into vital roles in the secondary as part of the team's Super Bowl run. This season, Michell and DeJean both earned first-team All-Pro nods.
Dallas interviewed several other coordinator candidates with backgrounds rooted in the secondary, including formerArizona Cardinalshead coach Jonathan Gannon,Denver Broncosdefensive passing game coordinator Jim Leonahard,Minnesota Vikingsdefense passing game coordinator Daronte Jones andCleveland Brownssafeties coach Ephraim Banda.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma.
(Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
Fans cheer in the first half between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma. Game temps were around 34 degrees for the high, lows near 28.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
Head coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans looks on during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Ma.
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye throws in the third quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
DeMario Douglas #3 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Ma.
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud warms up before an AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enters the field before an AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
Boston Bruins former captain Zdeno Chara is introduced during a time out in the first half in an AFC Divisional Round game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye hands the ball to running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma.
(David Butler II-Imagn Images)
1/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma.
(Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
1/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma.
(Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)
2/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
Fans cheer in the first half between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma. Game temps were around 34 degrees for the high, lows near 28.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
3/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
Head coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans looks on during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Ma.
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
4/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye throws in the third quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
5/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
DeMario Douglas #3 of the New England Patriots celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Ma.
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
6/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud warms up before an AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
7/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye enters the field before an AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
8/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
Boston Bruins former captain Zdeno Chara is introduced during a time out in the first half in an AFC Divisional Round game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
9/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye hands the ball to running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, Imagn Images)
10/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.
(Brian Fluharty, Imagn Images)
11/11
See frigid, snowy scenes from Sunday's NFL playoff games
England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Ma.
