The Dallas Cowboys are running out of excuses. Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers dropped them to 2-3-1 and left fans wondering if the team is paying the price for one of the most controversial moves of the offseason: trading away Micah Parsons.
On Monday, first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer faced the question everyone wanted answered. Could this defense still compete at a high level without its former superstar?
“Micah’s a great player,” Schottenheimer said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “We’ve got other great players. But it takes 11 on defense. If one guy misses his assignment or gets out of position, things break down. Right now, our focus is on doing the little things right.”
That explanation might not sit well with Cowboys fans. Owner Jerry Jonestraded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in late August for two first-round draft picks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The move was supposed to toughen up the team’s run defense. Instead, it’s been a disaster.
Carolina’s Rico Dowdle ran wild, piling up 239 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The Cowboys looked confused and overmatched for most of the afternoon.
Micah’s a great player… We’ve got other great players.
Defensive Coordinator Safe, For Now
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Dallas now ranks last in total yards allowed per game(411.7) and 31st in points surrendered(30.7). That’s a stunning drop for a franchise once built on physical, hard-nosed defense.
Still, Schottenheimer isn’t ready to make staff changes. He said defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus will keep his job for now. “I met with the defense this morning,” he told reporters. “That’s not because I’m panicking. It’s because I can offer solutions. We’re looking at what opponents are seeing in us and how to correct it.”
The Cowboys have another test coming up. They’ll face the Washington Commanders at home this Sunday, where they’re listed as 2.5-point underdogs, per ESPN BET.
If the Commanders’ offense moves the ball easily, Schottenheimer’s calm tone may not last long. For now, he’s standing by his defense and his coaching staff, but the questions about Micah Parsons aren’t going away anytime soon.
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