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Cooper DeJean raves over new Cowboys DC Christian Parker: '“I don’t think I’d be the player I am without him'

Danby: Daniel Hager01/22/26DanielHagerOn3

The Dallas Cowboys officially filled their vacancy at the defensive coordinator position on Thursday. Dallas hired Christian Parker, who had been serving as the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach for the past two seasons.

Parker replaces former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who led one of the worst defenses in Cowboys history last season. With Eberflus in charge, Dallas ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed per game (380.9 YPG) and 30th in the NFL in points allowed per game (30.1 PPG).

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro defensive back Cooper DeJean spoke extremely highly of Parker on Thursday, soon after it was first reported that he would indeed be landing the DC job with the Cowboys.

“I could say a lot of things about him and what he’s meant to me and (Quinyon Mitchell),” DeJean said. “We’ve had a routine of me and Q go meet with him 2-3 times a week to go over the team we’re playing and talk about different looks. I don’t think I’d be the player I am or have the success that I’ve had without him. He’s poured a lot into me and Q, too, ever since we got here.

“I appreciate him for that. Not everybody notices him and he doesn’t get the recognition I think he should. But him and Coach (Joe) Kasper, what those guys mean to us in the DB room and how they coach and the intensity they bring and passion they have for the game, means a lot to us. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Christian Parker’s journey to becoming Cowboys DC was a long and winding one

Dallas’ offense was statistically one of the best in the league, but its disastrous defense ensured that the organization would miss the postseason for the second consecutive year. If Parker can navigate Dallas’ defense to at least the middle of the pack in the NFL, the Cowboys should be a team to watch to return to the postseason next year.

Parker’s journey to being Dallas’ DC began at Virginia State in 2013. Following that two-year stint, he made stops at Norfolk State, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M before jumping to the NFL with the Green Bay Packers in 2019. Dallas will mark the fourth NFL organization he’s been a member of, joining the Packers, the Denver Broncos, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jerry Jones has now solidified his three most important coaching positions. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams will enter their second season at the helm in 2026, while Parker embarks on his biggest challenge yet.