The Philadelphia Eagles saw their season end disappointingly, and the focus is now on what their coaching staff could look like in 2026. The search for an offensive coordinator has been the biggest storyline this offseason after Kevin Patullo was removed from the role, and the Eagles also have to keep their head on a swivel as teams poach lower-level assistants for a promotion.
One of those scenarios played out on Thursday when NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Dallas Cowboys are working to hire Eagles defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator.
Like many departures, Parker will be looking to bring some of the things he learned from Philadelphia to a defensive rebuild project in Dallas. It could also lead to several key free agents jumping the line of one of the NFC East’s biggest rivalries and giving the Eagles a massive headache next season.
Christian Parker May Not Be the Eagles' Only Defection to Cowboys
Parker is facing a big challenge with the Cowboys' defense. Dallas allowed the third-most total yards (6,409) and most points (511) in the NFL last season, and while ex-defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus took the fall, it was several deficiencies that did the Cowboys in.
It also gives Parker little reason to stick with some of the veterans on the team, with safety Malik Hooker, linebacker Donovan Wilson, and edge rusher Sam Williams as potential offseason departures, either view free agency or cut/trade.
In a perfect world, Parker could lean on the draft to build the system the way he wants.
But he doesn’t have that luxury with owner/general manager Jerry Jones breathing down his neck and an offense that was good enough to make the playoffs last season with 27.7 points per game (seventh-highest in NFL). Even boosting Dallas to the middle of the pack would make a big difference, and the fastest way to do that is by supplementing the team through free agency.
This is where familiarity becomes key. Instead of teaching multiple new additions to his system, he can dive into the list of the Eagles’ free agents and not worry about those positions.
Looking at the list, Parker will have some options. Linebacker Nakobe Dean figures to be on his way out of Philadelphia with 2025 first-round pick Jihaad Campbell poised for a bigger role in his second season. The Cowboys could go after safety Reed Blankenship or edge rusher Jaelan Phillips in free agency as players with whom Parker has some previous experience and focus his attention elsewhere.
This may not have Eagles fans shaking in their boots, but it also could be a problem. If Parker does try to turn the Cowboys into “Philly South,” these players have experience going up against the Eagles' offense every day in practice and will come into play as a team the Eagles have to face twice as a divisional opponent.
It’s a move that could add a little flair to those matchups next season and could see a few free agents wearing Cowboys colors next fall.