In the end, the Dallas Cowboys didn't want to wait for Jim Leonhard.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday that Dallas is working to hire Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator.
The Cowboys’ emphasis on younger candidates throughout the interview process represented a meaningful departure from past practice. Jerry and Stephen Jones have typically favored coordinators with prior head coaching experience.
Hiring Parker is an extremely forward-thinking move by Dallas, and confirms, once again, that Brian Schottenheimer drove the bus from pillar to post.
The Cowboys are working to hire Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2026
Just 34 years old, Parker spent the past two seasons as passing game coordinator/DBs coach under Vic Fangio with the Eagles. Now gets his first DC job in the NFC East. pic.twitter.com/boxhtCnEvk
Cowboys are working to hire Eagles DBs coach Christian Parker as new defensive coordinator
Parker broke into the league as a quality control coach with the Packers in 2019. He went on to achieve great success coaching the Broncos' defensive backs from 2021 to 2023, overseeing an All-Pro campaign from safety Justin Simmons and a Pro Bowl year from cornerback Patrick Surtain.
Parker carried that success to Philadelphia, where he transformed one of the NFL's worst secondaries into a top-tier group. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were named first-team All-Pros in just their second year in the league this season under Parker's tutelage.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Christian Parker delivered a “very impressive” in-person interview with the Cowboys on Wednesday. Although Dallas wanted a second interview with Jim Leonhard, waiting carried the risk of losing Parker, who generated DC interest elsewhere.
Parker impressed throughout the interview process, which helps explain why the Cowboys didn’t want to risk playing the waiting game with Jim Leonhard.
Now, Parker can immediately turn his attention to building out his staff ahead of next week’s Senior Bowl and begin laying the groundwork for the draft cycle.
It’s a new day in Dallas. Thanks to Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys were willing to alter their hiring process, and they stole from the Philadelphia Eagles to boot.
That’s what you call a home run hire.