Zach Orr to Dallas? A Promising Fit, But Not Without Questions
It’s been just over a week since Christian Parker was tapped to lead the Cowboys' defense, and already the 34-year-old is hard at work assembling his staff. One of the biggest names linked to Dallas so far is Zach Orr - and for good reason.
At just 33, Orr already has experience running one of the NFL’s most respected defenses in Baltimore. Now, he could be headed home to Texas to join Parker’s staff in a significant role.
Orr interviewed for the Cowboys' defensive coordinator job before Parker landed it, and signs point to Parker still wanting him in the building. Whether that’s as a run game coordinator or something more elevated, the interest is real. But while Orr’s résumé is impressive, there are layers to this potential hire that deserve a closer look.
Orr Brings High-Level Experience - and a Deep Ravens Pedigree
Orr’s NFL journey started on the field. A DeSoto, Texas native, he went undrafted out of North Texas but carved out a role in Baltimore as a linebacker.
By his third season in 2016, he was the Ravens’ starting WILL linebacker and made a serious impact - 133 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a Second Team All-Pro nod. That season, however, was cut short by a neck injury that ultimately ended his playing career due to a congenital spine condition.
Still, Orr’s love for the game didn’t fade. He pivoted to coaching, starting as an analyst with the Ravens before following defensive line coach Joe Cullen to Jacksonville as the outside linebackers coach on Urban Meyer’s short-lived staff.
That stint didn’t last long, and Orr returned to Baltimore to coach inside linebackers. When Mike Macdonald left to become the Seahawks’ head coach, Orr was promoted to defensive coordinator.
That promotion wasn’t just a nod to his potential - it was a reflection of how deeply embedded Orr was in the Ravens’ defensive evolution. He played under Don “Wink” Martindale, who brought an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme to Baltimore in 2018.
He coached under Macdonald, who refined and modernized that system into one of the league’s most versatile and effective defenses. Orr was there for all of it - as a player, as a position coach, and eventually, as the man in charge.
That kind of firsthand exposure to multiple defensive philosophies, all within one of the NFL’s most consistently innovative organizations, is rare. Orr didn’t just study the Ravens’ system - he lived it. And now, Parker may be looking to tap into that lineage as he builds his own identity in Dallas.
The Results Weren’t Always There
But as much as Orr’s background is impressive, it’s worth noting that his tenure as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator came with mixed results.
When Macdonald took over the Ravens' defense in 2022, the unit finished 11th in EPA per play. In 2023, they jumped to second - a dominant performance led by an elite pass defense that stifled downfield attacks.
Orr inherited that same core group in 2024, but the results didn’t hold. The Ravens dropped back to 11th in EPA/play in Orr’s first year, and then slipped to 18th this past season - only the second time in the John Harbaugh era that Baltimore’s defense finished in the league’s bottom half by that metric.
So what changed?
One of the biggest criticisms of Orr’s defense centered on situational play-calling. The Ravens struggled to generate pressure, finishing 29th in the league in pressure rate.
Orr didn’t dial up blitzes often either - just 23.4% of dropbacks, which was even lower than the typically conservative Matt Eberflus. That lack of aggression left the Ravens vulnerable, especially on third downs.
Defensive backs were often playing off coverage on long-yardage situations, giving up too much cushion and allowing easy completions. The result?
Baltimore gave up the third-most passing yards per game on third downs this season.
That said, Orr’s defenses were consistently strong against the run. Not surprising, given his background as a physical, downhill linebacker.
The Ravens ranked in the top six in EPA per rush in both of Orr’s years as coordinator. But even that comes with a caveat - Baltimore faced the eighth-fewest rushing attempts in the league this season, and the second-fewest the year before.
Were they dominant against the run because of scheme and execution, or simply because teams didn’t need to run the ball when they could throw it effectively? That’s the kind of question Parker and the Cowboys will need to answer.
A Logical Fit in Dallas - With Some Caveats
Reports suggest Orr could take on a role focused on the run game if he joins the Cowboys. That would align with his strengths and give Parker a young but seasoned voice in the room - someone who’s been in the coordinator chair and understands the pressure that comes with it. For a first-time coordinator like Parker, that kind of support could be invaluable.
There’s also the added benefit of familiarity with complex defensive systems. Orr has spent nearly his entire football life within the Ravens' ecosystem, which has produced some of the most respected defensive minds in the game. That knowledge could help Dallas evolve defensively, especially as they look to build on the foundation laid by Dan Quinn.
Still, there are fair questions about Orr’s ceiling as a schemer. His two years running the Ravens defense didn’t live up to the standard set by his predecessor, and while youth is on his side, results matter.
Some have floated the idea that Orr could eventually succeed Parker if he moves on to a head coaching job down the line. But after struggling to follow Macdonald, it’s worth asking whether Orr is ready to take that kind of leap again.
Bottom Line
Zach Orr brings real value to any coaching staff - especially one like Dallas, which is trying to blend experience with fresh ideas. He’s young, battle-tested, and comes from one of the most respected defensive pipelines in football.
But the Cowboys would be wise to weigh the full picture. Orr’s resume is impressive, but it’s not without blemishes.
If Parker believes in his upside and wants him on staff, that’s a strong endorsement. Just don’t expect Orr to be a plug-and-play defensive savior.
There’s still plenty for him to prove.