The Dallas Cowboys have formally requested permission to interview Christian Parker, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, for their vacant defensive coordinator position, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
At a Glance
- Dallas wants to speak with the 34-year-old who helped mold two All-Pro corners in Year 1
- Parker already drew interest from New Orleans last offseason
- Cooper DeJean credits weekly film sessions for his rapid rise
- Why it matters: A division rival could strip Philly of the coach behind its rebuilt secondary
The request lands just days after the Cowboys fired former coordinator Matt Eberflus following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Parker, who arrived in Philadelphia only last February, has quickly become one of the league’s hottest coaching commodities.
Rapid Development in Philly
Under Parker’s guidance, first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second-round pick Cooper DeJean became the second cornerback duo in NFL history to earn All-Pro honors in the same season. The Eagles had not produced an All-Pro corner since Lito Sheppard in 2004; Parker delivered two in one year.
DeJean detailed the routine that fueled the leap:
- Meet with Parker two or three times each week
- Review upcoming opponent looks
- Break down different coverage concepts
- Refine technique in personalized sessions
“I don’t think I’d be the player I am or I’d have the success that I’ve had without him,” DeJean said during locker-room cleanout. “He’s poured a lot into me and Q too, ever since we got here.”
Statistical Leap
The on-field numbers back up the praise:
| Season | Pass Defense Rank | Pass TDs Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31st | 31 |
| 2024 | 1st | Fewest in NFL |
Although the unit slipped to No. 8 overall in 2025, it still surrendered the fewest touchdown passes in the league.
Coaching Tree Roots
Parker joined Vic Fangio’s staff after one season together in Denver, reuniting a mentor-protégé pairing that began when Fangio hired him away from Green Bay. The Broncos tenure featured work with Patrick Surtain II, the All-Pro and former Defensive Player of the Year.
Career timeline:
- 2019-2020: Defensive quality control, Packers
- 2021-2023: Defensive assistant, Broncos
- 2024-present: DB coach/pass game coordinator, Eagles
During the season Parker described Mitchell’s growth to News Of Philadelphia as postgraduate work: “He’s kind of on his way to getting his PhD. It’s probably going to take another year or two. We don’t have any PhD students in the room yet.”
Division-Rival Stakes
If Dallas persuades Parker to jump within the NFC East, Philadelphia would lose the architect of its secondary turnaround less than a year after hiring him. The Saints already attempted to lure him away last offseason, signaling league-wide belief that a coordinator promotion is imminent.
DeJean emphasized that Parker’s impact stretches beyond X’s and O’s: “not everybody notices him and he doesn’t get the recognition that I think he should. Him and coach (Joe) Kasper, what those guys mean to us in the DB room and how they coach, the intensity they bring, the passion they have for the game.”
Key Takeaways
- The Cowboys’ interview request confirms Parker’s meteoric rise
- Two All-Pro corners in one season make a compelling résumé
- Losing Parker would force Philadelphia to restart secondary development
- Dallas hopes Parker can replicate Philly’s pass-defense dominance
With coordinator openings around the league and a track record of instant improvement, Christian Parker’s first season in Philadelphia may also be his last.
