The Dallas Cowboys crossed one of the most important items off their offseason to-do list with the news that they’re working toward hiring Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Parker’s arrival from the Philadelphia Eagles helps the Cowboys tap into one of their division rivals and one of the best defensive units in the NFL, but the challenge now is to decide which players will help them improve under his guidance in 2026.
On the surface, safety Donovan Wilson appeared to be on the chopping block. The 30-year-old didn’t have the best contract year heading into his pending free agency this spring, posting a career-low 50.8 overall grade this season according to Pro Football Focus. But he may be saved by his previous experience with Parker and could have a lifeline to stay in Dallas as he looks for a new contract.
Christian Parker Could Vouch for Donovan Wilson’s Return to Cowboys in 2026
Parker and Wilson first crossed paths at Texas A&M University in 2018. Working as a defensive analyst on Jimbo Fisher’s staff, Parker had a front row seat to Wilson’s performance, who logged 66 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and three pass defenses, leading the Cowboys to select him in the sixth round of the 2019 draft.
Wilson has had a good run in Dallas since taking over a starting role in 2020 and appearing in 98 games with 75 starts over his seven seasons with the team. But while he's been a solid member of the secondary, everything fell apart last season with his highest missed tackle rate (19.8%) since his rookie season and a 119.2 passer rating when targeted in coverage, allowing 29 catches for 315 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions and two pass breakups on 37 targets.
Grading safeties in coverage is an inexact science. But when you’re allowing six points on nearly a quarter of your targets, you couldn’t book a faster flight out using frequent flyer miles. It brings credit to the thought that the Cowboys could move on from Wilson this offseason, but Parker may have a different opinion.
Parker has been working his way up the ranks and spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia. With players such as Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship thriving during his tenure, the ability to get the most out of secondary players had to be appealing to Dallas, who had the second-highest passer rating allowed (109.6) and was tied for the second-lowest interception total (6) ahead of the pick-less New York Jets.
Wilson’s dreams of returning could be dashed if Parker decides to bring Blankenship, who is also a free agent, with him to Dallas. But the Cowboys’ cap situation may prevent that from happening as they sit $39.5 million over the salary cap, according to Over The Cap. While Spotrac estimates Wilson could make $6.9 million on his next deal, his performance and relationship with Parker could make him available at a discount and could have him returning to Dallas for one more run.