With Parker wanting to build the defense in his vision, that might mean some players are on the outside looking in.
We know the Dallas Cowboys' offseason approach will be very defensive-minded, as Christian Parker looks to turn this troubled 7-9-1 ship around.
All the focus has been on a couple of items for the Cowboys over the past week.
The contracts of George Pickens and Brandon Aubrey are together one major issue. The other has been who the Cowboys will look to target in free agency (or via any method) to fix this defense.
Dallas was seriously in for Maxx Crosby, but wasn't willing to part ways with both first-round picks. So they pivoted to a trade for Green Bay EDGE Rashard Gary.
They also moved some money around, altering the contracts of tackle Terence Steele and safety Malik Hooker.
And interestingly, the Hooker move (which saves $2 million on the 2026 cap) will come in handy when it comes to adding a running mate at safety.
Dallas, per Mike Fisher's report, is "very pleased'' to be adding a name we've discussed in this space for quite some time in Arizona safety Jalen Thompson.
Thompson is a versatile chess piece who is seen as a strong fit for new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker's "3-4 Hybrid'' scheme.
Thompson, 27, can do a lot at safety and in the nickel, too.
In 2025, he played 289 snaps at free safety, 320 snaps in the box, and 249 in the slot (that info per PFF).
Remember a few days ago when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he regretted losing slot cornerback Jourdan Lewis to Jacksonville via 2025 free agency?
This is that fix ...
He's similar in size to Lewis at 5-11 and 190 ... and is seen by the Cowboys as being similarly athletic.
NFL Network notes it's a three-year deal ... and the way we read it, it's worth "up to'' $36 million.
The former first-round pick Hooker will hold down one spot. Thompson will now be featured in the secondary alongside him ... but also moving all over the field.
The Cowboys potentially could be a first-round cornerback away from completely changing the look of a unit that was the NFL's worst in 2025.