Quarterback Dak Prescott is just inches closer to achieving another milestone in his Dallas Cowboys career, but the spotlight is now shifting to the new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker. Dallas' ability to make history depends on the defense

Parker's arrival could play a vital role in helping Prescott complete the historic franchise record. The quarterback needs just 12 more regular-season wins to become the starting quarterback with the most regular-season wins. For that, he may need Parker on the defensive side of the ball.

"If Parker, who undoubtedly has a far better group of players to work with than [Matt] Eberflus did, can help get Dallas back to that level, Prescott would certainly be appreciative," wrote Luke Norris on FanSided. "It just so happens that Dak needs exactly a dozen wins to break the franchise record for most regular-season victories by a starting quarterback."

Prescott has already surpassed the former Dallas quarterback, Tony Romo, as the franchise's passing leader and has recorded 83 regular-season wins as a starter. He sits third after Troy Aikman with a 94-71-0 record and Roger Staubach with an 85-29-0 record.

Prescott holds a record of 83-55-1, recording 35,000 passing yards and 240+ passing touchdowns across his ten NFL seasons.

The offense ranked among the NFL's most productive units. The Cowboys ranked No.2 in total offense, averaging 391.9 yards, while their defense ranked third last, averaging 377 yards, as per FOX Sports. That imbalance led to the arrival of Parker, as per Norris.

Stephen Jones said Parker’s blueprint for the defense mirrored what Brian Schottenheimer wanted as he shaped the Cowboys’ identity on both sides of the ball.

Expectations are high that he can reform the aggressive defense that helped Dallas produce three consecutive 12-win seasons earlier.

Christian Parker's Teaching Style Takes Center Stage in Dallas

The Cowboys were looking for a teacher while searching for their new defensive coordinator. A widely shared clip from the OTAs showed Parker instructing Caleb Downs on footwork and using his hands and arm length effectively.

“Use your length,” Parker tells Downs in the video. “You don’t have to have 34-inch arms to use your length. If we’re just trying to mirror [the receiver] with our hands behind our back the whole time, we’re at their mercy."

In his first season as a defensive coordinator, Parker is tasked with reshaping Dallas’ defense using a roster that looks very different from last year’s

"I think it's a very urgent group and a group that is hungry for knowledge and hungry for getting pushed, and they want to have collective success," Parker said. "We don't have any selfish guys. We have a bunch of guys who want to do it together. They want to learn."

Parker has coached Patrick Surtain II, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean before Dallas, with all three earning All-Pro honors early in their NFL careers.

What are your views on Parker's role in Prescott making history? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar