The Dallas Cowboys are changing Christian Parker’s view of their struggling defense. Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan that the defensive coordinator will call plays from the coaches’ booth rather than the sideline moving forward.

The change follows Dallas’ 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay and Monday’s addition of Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant. Parker remains responsible for calling the defense, but the Cowboys are adjusting how their staff works as they prepare to visit Green Bay on Oct. 18.

A Different View On Game Day

Moving upstairs can offer a coordinator a broader view of formations and how a play develops. It also changes the way he communicates with the people handling players on the sideline.

That’s the potential benefit, rather than a guaranteed fix. A different vantage point doesn’t make a missed tackle or an uncovered receiver disappear. Dallas still needs its calls, communication and execution to work together.

Jones framed the team’s review as a search for adjustments that could produce better results. The defense has allowed 395.4 yards per game, ranking 31st in the NFL in the team’s Tuesday report.

Pettine Adds Another Resource

Our coverage of Pettine’s addition to the Cowboys staff explained the existing relationships behind that move. He worked with Parker in Green Bay and with Brian Schottenheimer on the Jets’ staff.

Jones said Pettine’s role will focus more on the scheme than on directly teaching position techniques. That gives Parker another experienced coach to consult as Dallas tries to make its defensive approach more effective.

Jones also pushed back on the suggestion that Parker was overwhelmed. He pointed to the amount of change involving the scheme, coaching staff and players, including veterans learning a different approach.

Results Are The Next Measure

The Cowboys are 2-3, and changing the coaching setup won’t change that record. The useful test is whether it helps Dallas play more consistently when the games resume.

Against Green Bay, watch whether the defense communicates cleanly and limits the costly mistakes that keep drives alive. Those are practical signs of progress, regardless of where the coordinator sits.

Parker is heading upstairs with more support available. Now Dallas needs the changes around its defense to become improvements on the field.