Winners and Losers: How the New Coaching Staff Affects the Dallas Cowboys’ Roster

The arrival of a new coaching staff always brings significant changes to a team, and the Dallas Cowboys are no exception. With Brian Schottenheimer at the helm, some players stand to benefit, while others may find themselves struggling to fit into the new system.

Previously, we looked at the players who are on the rise thanks to the new hires. Now, it’s time to examine those who might face challenges under the new regime. Interestingly, while most of the “winners” were offensive players, this list focuses entirely on the defensive side of the ball.

Mazi Smith: A Tough Road Ahead

Mazi Smith entered the NFL with high expectations, but after two underwhelming seasons, he is already teetering on the edge of “draft bust” territory. His struggles so far have been attributed to the learning curve for nose tackles at the professional level, but his situation may become even more difficult under the new defensive scheme.

Under former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, Smith played in a two-gap system, where his strength and size were valuable assets. However, new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus favors a one-gap scheme, which demands explosiveness off the line and quick penetration into the backfield. Smith’s slower get-off speed has been a known weakness, and unless he significantly improves in that area, he may find himself on the outside looking in when it comes to playing time.

Micah Parsons: A Shift in Strategy

There is no doubt that Micah Parsons remains one of the most dominant defenders in the league. He is an elite, game-changing talent who is virtually immune to coaching shifts. However, the new system could slightly alter his role and impact.

Under Zimmer and Dan Quinn, Parsons thrived because they heavily utilized blitz packages, creating one-on-one opportunities for him to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Eberflus, on the other hand, is known for a more conservative approach, often relying on a four-man rush rather than frequent blitzing. If the Cowboys adopt this philosophy, Parsons could find it more challenging to generate pressure—especially if the defensive line lacks another high-end pass rusher to take attention away from him.

The Secondary: A Coaching Shake-Up

The Cowboys’ defensive backs may be the most uncertain group heading into the new season. While Andre Curtis will serve as the new defensive passing game coordinator and David Overstreet takes over as secondary coach, the team lost two key figures who were highly respected in the league.

Al Harris, one of the top defensive backs coaches in the NFL, departed for Chicago, while assistant DB coach Cristian Garcia took a new role in Arizona. Dallas reportedly wanted to retain both, which speaks to their importance in the development and performance of the secondary. With new voices leading the unit, there is a real concern that the defensive backs might take a step backward, at least in the short term.

Final Thoughts

Change always brings uncertainty, and while the Cowboys have made moves they believe will improve the team, not every player will thrive under the new system. Mazi Smith faces an uphill battle adjusting to a different defensive philosophy, Micah Parsons might see a shift in how he is deployed, and the secondary must adapt to new coaching leadership.

As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how these adjustments play out. Will the defensive unit rise to the occasion, or will these changes create more issues than solutions? Only time will tell.