The Cowboys are turning to a different vantage point for Christian Parker as they try to get a sputtering defense on track.
Dallas enters Week 6 at 2-3, tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for second in the NFC East and trailing the 3-1-1 New York Giants. Dak Prescott has been excellent, and the offense has held up just fine. The problem has been on the other side of the ball, where Parker’s defense has fallen short of expectations.
Now Parker is moving to the booth to handle play-calling against the Packers on Sunday Night Football, according to Jerry Jones on 105.3 The Fan. "Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones tells @BobbyBeltTX and @rjchoppy that Christian Parker is moving to the booth," 105.3 The Fan shared on Twitter/x.
The timing is notable. The Cowboys also brought in Mike Pettine this week to help on the defensive staff, and the move for Parker gives Dallas another wrinkle as it searches for answers.
The hope is simple: a higher perch might give Parker a cleaner look at what’s happening on the field and lead to sharper calls for a unit that has been shaky for a few different reasons. Daron Bland has regressed, backup players filling in for injured starters have struggled, and Caleb Downs hasn’t locked down the slot. Those issues aren’t getting solved by a seat in the booth, but the Cowboys are betting a new angle could at least help the defense function a little better.
That still leaves a difficult assignment right out of the gate. Jordan Love and the Packers’ passing game can challenge anybody, which makes Week 6 a real test for the change.
It may not produce a dramatic turnaround, and it may not move the needle much at all. But for a defense searching for anything that works, it’s a move worth making.
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