Cowboys DC Christian Parker Expects to Call Plays from Sideline Despite Jerry Jones' Comments

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker told reporters Thursday that he will "most likely" remain on the field calling plays amid the team's defensive struggles and owner Jerry Jones' recent comments that the DC would be heading to the booth.

Dallas has allowed an NFL-high 6.4 yards per play and sits at 2-3 after losing to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On Tuesday, Jones said Parker's location would change as Dallas gets ready for a Sunday Night Football matchup at the Green Bay Packers.

"You search for what we can do differently that would give us better results," Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday (h/t Sean Leahy of Yahoo Sports).

"That's the main emphasis that we would spend some, let's say, specific attention to areas. We're going to coach the defense from not on the field, but up above. Parker's going up above.

"You should be looking for ways to adjust and make changes to improve. That's the point of improving from the results we had the last few weeks."

However, it appears that Parker will be staying on the sidelines.

The 34-year-old Parker has coached in the NFL for eight seasons after working the college ranks for six years. Before Dallas, Parker most recently served as the Eagles' defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2024 and 2025.

The Eagles won the Super Bowl to cap the 2024 season in part because of their tremendous pass defense, which shone in a 40-22 Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Entering this season, Dallas gave up the second-most (and then the most) points allowed per game in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The Cowboys brought in Parker in hopes of turning the defense around (Dallas also made numerous investments in personnel this offseason, including drafting safety Caleb Downs, trading for linebacker Rashan Gary and signing Jalen Thompson).

However, Dallas is still struggling defensively. In Week 5, Dallas fell to Tampa Bay undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was making his second NFL start. An efficient Daniels looked calm, poised and collected en route to a 24-16 win, and Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving rushed for 165 yards.

Now the Cowboys go to Green Bay to face a 3-2 Packers riding the high of a strong 31-7 win over their arch-rival Chicago Bears. It's a tough game on paper for a Dallas defense facing a previously struggling Packers offense that is figuring some things out (e.g. Green Bay amassed a season-high 428 yards).

Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.