Don "Wink" Martindale did not soften his view of the Dallas Cowboys' defensive struggles. The former New York Giants defensive coordinator said Christian Parker is being "outclassed" and went a step further by saying Jerry Jones could call him if the Cowboys wanted help.
Martindale's comments add another layer to a defense that was expected to improve in 2026 after several changes, including the hiring of Parker as defensive coordinator. Instead, Dallas has been dealing with problems on that side of the ball going back to Week 1, and the criticism has only grown louder.
Last month, Martindale first took aim at Parker during the Cowboys' home opener against the Giants. He said Dallas had to stop the run and later made clear what he thought was happening on the field: Parker was getting outclassed. His latest comments were even more direct, with Martindale saying, "And watching Dallas, that's frustrating. So, Jerry can call me and I'll go help him, but I'm talking about helping the coordinator."
The public offer is notable because it comes at a time when fans are already calling for Parker's head, even though Jerry Jones continues to back his defensive coordinator. Jones called the idea of a change "premature" and said he does believe in Parker, adding that Parker is "competent" and taking the criticism that comes with the job.
That leaves Dallas in a familiar spot: a defense under pressure, a coordinator trying to hold onto support, and outside voices turning the discussion into a much bigger one. Martindale's remarks do not solve the Cowboys' issues, but they do show how visible those issues have become. If the defense does not improve, the scrutiny around Parker is only likely to keep building.
