The Dallas Cowboys are hoping for better days and better games from their defense in 2026, with Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator.
Cowboys fans got an up-close view of the Matt Eberflus experience this past season, and it was not good to put it politely. Dallas allowed the most passing yards per game (251.5) in the league, and gave up the 10th-most rushing yards per game (125.5).
The Cowboys were also ranked dead-last in scoring defense, giving up a league-worst 30.1 points per game. Parker has a tough job ahead of him. However, he already has some of the pieces available to get this defense back on track next season.
That said, he’ll still need the Cowboys to go out and make some additions on defense in free agency, especially if he wants versatile players for his scheme. One player, who was an ex-Eagle twice, that should be on Dallas’ radar is none other than C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson would be the ideal replacement at safety for the Cowboys, who may not re-sign Donovan Wilson (unrestricted free agent), and Malik Hooker could be a potential cut candidate.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Makes Ton of Sense for Cowboys’ Defense in 2026
The veteran defensive back is quite familiar with Parker, as he worked with him during the 2024 season in Philadelphia. Parker was the defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator for the past two seasons.
In Gardner-Johnson’s first year back with the Eagles, the veteran defender picked up where he left off after the 2022 season. Gardner-Johnson was a playmaking machine, racking up 59 total tackles, 12 pass deflections, six interceptions (one returned for a TD), and two tackles for loss.
Gardner-Johnson’s coverage skills left much to be desired, as he allowed eight receiving TDs, despite having an 89.0 passer rating. However, when you’re creating turnovers and flipping field position, those issues get overlooked.
This past season, Gardner-Johnson bounced around the NFL, spending time with three different teams, including the Chicago Bears. The veteran defender landed with the Bears at the end of October, where he reunited with his former coach in New Orleans (Dennis Allen).
Garner-Johnson's Versatility Can't Be Ignored
It was a perfect move for the ex-Eagle defender, who played a ton in the slot (390) despite being a safety. In his 10-game stint with the Bears, Gardner-Johnson had five tackles for loss, five QB hits, four pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
Adding versatile veterans to the defense is something Parker discussed during his introductory conference earlier this week.
"You want to build a package that has diversity and scheme, and then you want to tailor it to the players you have. Of course, there are schematic fits, but I think the really good players are the ones you can't peg them into a certain scheme and that's the only way they can play football."Christian Parker, Cowboys DC
Parker was even asked if he'd bring any former Eagles with him to the Lone Star State. Although he said it was too early to discuss that, as tampering hasn't begun, he did tease the possibility, saying, "We'll see."
Gardner-Johnson looked like the guy we saw with the Eagles in 2022 and 2024. Dallas could use a playmaker like Gardner-Johnson, as he’d be an upgrade over Reddy Steward, who was not great in the slot, giving up 21 receptions (23 targets) for 98 yards in the last five games.
And as we already mentioned, Gardner-Johnson is worth taking a flier on over running it back with Wilson, who has given up 13 combined TDs over the last two years. According to Spotrac, Gardner-Johnson’s calculated market value is a one-year deal worth $2.3 million.
The Cowboys’ cap situation isn’t the best, as they have to pay George Pickens and Javonte Williams, but at that projected price tag, Dallas would be foolish not to take a chance on the ex-Eagle.
Garner-Johnson could help transform this secondary and give the Cowboys an edge that they’ll need on that side of the ball, making him someone America's Team must have on their radar next month.