FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys are expected to interview Eagles defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Christian Parker on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
Parker becomes the seventh candidate in Dallas’ search for a new defensive coordinator since the team fired Matt Eberflus on Jan. 6.
Parker has spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia working under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. During that span, the Eagles have finished as a top-10 defensive unit against the pass in both seasons.
In Parker’s first season with the team in 2024, the Eagles were the NFL’s best pass defense, allowing just 174.2 yards per game. There he helped develop rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, two key pieces of the secondary who helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl LIX under Parker in their rookie seasons.
In 2025, both Mitchell and DeJean took the next step under Parker’s tutelage, both being named first-team All-Pro at their respective positions and selected to the Pro Bowl. Mitchell allowed just one touchdown when targeted and posted the lowest completion percentage allowed among all corners with at least 500 snaps in coverage, at 42.4%. DeJean led all slot corners in that same category with 59.7%, in addition to 15 passes defensed and two interceptions.
After finishing his playing career at Richmond, Parker began his coaching career in college football at Virginia State in 2013 as a defensive backs coach, when he was just 22 years old. After two seasons there, he assumed the same role at Norfolk State beginning in 2015.
In 2017 he joined the Notre Dame staff as a defensive analyst for one year, before taking the same position at Texas A&M the following season. He later landed his first NFL job with the Green Bay Packers as a defensive quality control coach in 2019.
After two seasons in Green Bay, Parker landed his first position coaching job in the NFL with the Denver Broncos as defensive backs coach. During his time there, he helped develop Patrick Surtain, who had a breakout rookie season with four interceptions, followed by two Pro Bowl selections and a first-team All-Pro designation in 2022. Parker joined the Eagles staff after the 2023 season.
