Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defended defensive coordinator Christian Parker as the team changed his game-day role and added veteran coach Mike Pettine to the staff. (Image via Getty)
The changes come with the Cowboys sitting at 2-3 and ranking near the bottom of the NFL in several major defensive categories. Through five games, the Cowboys rank 31st in total defense at 395.4 yards allowed per game. They are also allowing 27.2 points per game, placing them near the bottom of the league in scoring defense. Dallas has allowed an NFL-high 168.4 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry, according to figures cited by ClutchPoints. Minnesota is 5-0 and leads the NFL with 16 sacks, while also using the league’s highest blitz rate.
“I’m obviously disappointed in the results so far,” Jones said Tuesday, according to Field Level Media. Parker will move from the sideline to the coaching box, while Dallas has hired former NFL head coach Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant. Their run defense has been even more vulnerable. He did, however, push back on the idea that Parker has become overwhelmed in his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator. The Cowboys did not simply change Parker’s location on game day. They also added Pettine, a veteran defensive coach with experience as a coordinator for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers. Pettine also served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Pettine most recently worked in a support role under Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.