Cowboys' Defense Exposed After Parsons Trade

Through three games the Dallas Cowboys (1–2) have surrendered 92 points, yielded a league‑high number of explosive plays, rank near the bottom on third‑down stops and have just one takeaway and four sacks, including a 31–14 loss to the Chicago Bears in which rookie Caleb Williams was not sacked. The struggles have been further magnified by the team’s trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers; Parsons, now a Super Bowl winner and Defensive Player of the Year favorite, returns to AT&T Stadium Sunday as a Packers player with no official pregame tribute. Matt Eberflus’s defense (reported to be more than 90% zone) is under heavy scrutiny, with players and analysts calling for more man coverage, varied looks and increased pressure. Coach Brian Schottenheimer, owner/GM Jerry Jones and the staff are searching for fixes — simplifying calls, rotating personnel, giving reserves more snaps and pursuing potential additions/returns such as Jadeveon Clowney and DaRon Bland — while injuries, including CeeDee Lamb’s left-ankle sprain, further complicate the club’s outlook. Unless the Cowboys produce consistent pressure, create turnovers and eliminate explosive plays soon, calls for schematic or personnel changes (including at coordinator) will intensify and the season risks spiraling away.