For new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker, there are multiple challenges ahead. That almost goes without saying when you’re taking over a defense that fell apart the way the Cowboys’ did last season under previous coordinator Matt Eberflus. Ultimately, Parker’s job will be to design a system that gets the most out of the roster he has on hand.

But before that, Parker will need to do two things: Evaluate the players the Cowboys have now, and give his input on the players he’d like Dallas to push to sign in free agency. That will likely be critical, because the Cowboys typically avoid playing the free-agency game in the offseason, but the poor state of the defensive roster is probably going to have to change that.

For Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay, in looking at how that process will play out, compiling a list of names to target–the “nitty gritty” as he called it–will be coming soon. But for now, the timeline of rebuilding the defense is still focused on evaluating the team’s current roster.

Cowboys Front Office & Christian Parker Have Had ‘General Conversations’ on Player Changes

It’s a big week for draft evaluation as the East-West Shrine Bowl takes place on Tuesday at The Star, just as Senior Bowl practices begin in Mobile, Alabama (the game is on Saturday). But McClay took the time to speak to the Cowboys’ team site about the addition of Parker.

Parker, who was hired last week after having been the Eagles‘ secondary coach, is still working with head coach Brian Schottenheimer on assembling the rest of the defensive staff, but McClay said they’ve begun having wide-ranging talks about personnel changes.

“We’ve had general conversations to begin with, but you know he wants good players and he wants smart players, which every coach does,” McClay said. “We’ll get down to the nitty gritty once they get the rest of the staff together, but we talked about our roster. He has a vision for the guys that we have, so it’s off to a good start right now.”

Cowboys Were Among the Worst Defenses in the NFL in 2025

Of course, the guys that the Cowboys have produced the No. 32 defensive unit in the league in terms of points allowed, and the No. 28 defense overall, according to Pro Football Focus. There are some bright spots that should be kept around, in particular the strong defensive line that features Quinnen Williams, who was added in a blockbuster trade at the trade deadline.

The pass-rush unit, too, was credible, especially if the Cowboys bring back Jadeveon Clowney in free agency this spring. Clowney has said he wants to come back.

But the rest of the defense–linebackers, corners, safeties–struggled mightily, and it will be up to Parker to identify what parts can be salvaged and what parts need replacement.

Christian Parker Process Has Been ‘Exhaustive’

McClay indicated that the process of hiring Parker and moving forward with the Cowboys’ defense has been somewhat different than in the past, when orders tended to come down from owner Jerry Jones. The process with Schottenheimer and Parker has been more collaborative.

“The exhaustive search that Schotty’s done and all of us having a piece in it, much like we do during the process with players. We’re going to go through the car wash and everybody’s going to meet him and talk to him and get to know him,” McClay said.

“We’re going to sit around and talk about what we think. Just that whole process has been incredible to be able to go and dig and find out maybe stuff that you didn’t know. The way that we went about it and finding that guy, as well as putting together the staff, it’s an exhaustive process that I’m proud to be a part of because we’ve got some good guys.”