The star on the helmet feels a little heavier than usual in Frisco right now. Honestly, after a 7-9-1 finish that saw the Dallas Cowboys miss the playoffs for a second straight year, the vibe at The Star is a mix of exhaustion and high-stakes urgency. Jerry Jones isn't getting any younger, and he’s been vocal about wanting to retire with more Super Bowls. But to get there, he’s got to fix a defense that essentially fell off a cliff.
We're currently in the thick of a massive coordinator search. Matt Eberflus is out. The defensive production last year was, frankly, some of the worst this franchise has seen in modern memory.
The Defensive Coordinator Hunt and the Christian Parker Buzz
Today, the big name on everyone’s radar is Christian Parker. He’s currently the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator. According to official team reports on January 14, 2026, Parker is expected to interview for the vacant DC role today.
Parker is a fascinating candidate. He’s only 34, but he’s already helped the Eagles' secondary become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Look at what he did with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean—those guys were first-team All-Pros this past season. If you’re a Cowboys fan, you’re looking at that and wondering if he could do the same for a secondary that looked lost for large stretches of 2025.
He’s the seventh person the Cowboys have looked at since Eberflus was let go on January 6. The list is long:
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
- Aaron Whitecotton: The current DL coach who has a tight bond with Quinnen Williams.
- Zachary Orr: The Ravens DC and a North Texas local.
- Jonathan Gannon: The former Cardinals head coach.
- Jim Leonhard: The Broncos passing game coordinator.
It’s clear Brian Schottenheimer and the Jones family are looking for something specific. They need someone who can maximize the talent of guys like Quinnen Williams—who was a bright spot with four straight Pro Bowls—while fixing a scheme that allowed way too many explosive plays.
What’s the Deal with Dak Prescott’s Contract?
You can’t talk about Cowboys news and rumors today without hitting the salary cap. It’s the elephant in the room. Dallas is roughly $31 million over the cap for the 2026 season.
Dak Prescott has a massive $74 million cap hit looming. Now, before people start panicking and calling for a trade, remember that Dak’s deal has a full no-trade clause. He’s not going anywhere. The real story is the restructuring. By moving some of that money around, the Cowboys can likely free up about $31 million. It’s the classic "kick the can down the road" strategy that the front office loves, but they sort of have no choice if they want to sign anyone this March.
The George Pickens and Free Agency Crossroads
The roster is about to look very different. There are 22 pending free agents. 16 of them are unrestricted.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
George Pickens is the headliner here. He earned second-team All-Pro honors and was basically the engine of the offense alongside CeeDee Lamb. Losing him would be a disaster for Brian Schottenheimer’s system. Then you’ve got the backfield situation. Both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are hitting the market.
Basically, the Cowboys have to decide if they’re going to pay for established talent or rely on the draft. Speaking of the draft, they have two first-rounders this year: their own at No. 12 and the Packers' pick at No. 20.
Recent mock drafts are already causing a stir. Some experts, like Ryan Wilson over at CBS, are projecting an offensive lineman like Spencer Fano at No. 12. That might feel weird given the defensive struggles, but the line took a hit with injuries last year, and they’ve officially moved Tyler Smith to guard permanently. You’ve gotta protect the $240 million investment in Dak.
Why 2025 Went South
It’s easy to point fingers at the defense, but the 7-9-1 record was a total team effort in the wrong direction. October was the turning point. For a minute there, after beating the Jets 37-22, it looked like the Matt Eberflus scheme was working. James Houston was getting home, and the pressure was real.
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
Then the wheels fell off.
The loss to the Giants in the season finale—a 34-17 drubbing where Jaxson Dart looked like an All-Pro—was the final nail. DaRon Bland’s foot surgery earlier this month just added injury to insult. He’s had two procedures on that same foot in two years. That’s a major concern for a guy who is supposed to be your lockdown corner.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
The 2026 opponents are already set. It’s not going to be a walk in the park.
- Road Trips: Green Bay (who has won five straight against Dallas), San Francisco (four straight losses for Dallas), and a trip to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks.
- Home Stand: They’ll host the Ravens and the Buccaneers, who both finished second in their divisions.
- The Texas Tussle: A road game against the Houston Texans is definitely circled on the calendar.
If the Cowboys don’t nail this defensive coordinator hire, that schedule looks like a nightmare.
To get under the salary cap by the start of the new league year in March, the front office needs to finalize the Dak Prescott restructure immediately. This will provide the necessary $31 million in breathing room to place a competitive tender on restricted free agents like kicker Brandon Aubrey and safety Juanyeh Thomas. Fans should also keep a close eye on the Christian Parker interview results tonight; if an offer isn't extended by the weekend, expect the search to pivot toward a veteran name like Jonathan Gannon to provide "adult supervision" for a young secondary.