The Dallas Cowboys are finalizing a deal to hire Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator, a league source told UPI on Thursday.
Parker spent the last two seasons as a passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. He also spent time with the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers.
Parker worked the collegiate sidelines for Virginia State, Norfolk State, Notre Dame and Texas A&M.
The Cowboys fired former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Jan. 6. after one season. His Cowboys defense allowed the most points and third-most yards in the NFL.
The 2025 Eagles allowed the 13th-fewest yards, including the eighth-fewest passing yards. They had the NFL’s top defense, with the top-ranked pass defense and No. 10 run defense, in 2024.
Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, New York Giants interim defensive coordinator Charlie Bullen, ex-Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard were among other candidates to interview for the vacancy.
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
