If there’s one thing the Cowboys were good at this season, it was their offense. Meanwhile, the Super Bowl champs from last season were the complete opposite of that on the offensive side of the ball. To improve that weakness, they eyed a Cowboys coach. But Jerry Jones’ team said, ‘Not on my watch, Philly.’

“The Eagles requested to interview Cowboys OC Klayton Adams for their offensive coordinator job but Dallas blocked the request, per league sources. Dallas finished second in total offense and values Adams,” league sources tell ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.

The league allows teams to block such interview requests when the potential move would be lateral, meaning no real promotion in title or responsibility. In this case, the only big difference for Klayton Adams would have been getting to call his own plays in Philadelphia. That’s because head coach Brian Schottenheimer calls the plays for Dallas.

After parting ways with their former OC Kevn Patulo, it’s no surprise the Eagles eyed this offensive mind for his sharp play-crafting abilities. Adams started his career as a graduate assistant at Boise State. From there, he moved into different roles at the college level before landing with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019. He spent two years with the Cardinals and then joined the Cowboys last offseason.

With Dak Prescott and company, Adams changed the trajectory of an offense that ranked 17th in total yards in 2024. By this year, it had rocketed to ‌second-best in the league.

However, there’s another reason the Eagles pushed so hard for Adams. It ties directly to his past connection with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. When Adams was with the Colts as the assistant offensive line coach, Sirianni served as the offensive coordinator.

Although the Cowboys denied Philadelphia’s dream of an Adams-Sirianni reunion, the Eagles couldn’t do much in response. That’s because Dallas had already scooped up defensive coach Christian Parker from them.

Jerry Jones poached the Eagles’ Christian Parker

The Cowboys hired Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. The team interviewed nine candidates for the position but ultimately chose Parker.

The new DC has worked under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for five seasons now, including the last two with the Eagles. With Fangio, Philadelphia’s defense ranked first in the league in total yards allowed during the 2024 season. But it stumbled to 13th this season.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys are trying to revamp their defense in the best way possible. They see Parker as a key piece to build around. Still, there’s another side to this hiring that adds some risk.

Top Stories

Prayers Pour In as Cowboys Legend Scott Laidlaw Passes Away at 72

Natural Disaster Strikes San Francisco Just Hours After Sam Darnold, Drake Maye & Co. Arrives for Super Bowl LX

Amid Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Struggle, Saints QB Officially Announces Signing For Chiefs

Sean McVay Shares Update on Matthew Stafford’s Retirement After Sending Message to Rams QB

NFL Launches Investigation on Giants Owner Mentioned In Epstein Files Amid Russell Wilson Links

“He seems to be a rising star as a coach,” former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus told reporter Jeff Cavanaugh. “You could very likely have him for a year, maybe two. Then it turns into him getting head coach opportunities, then you lose the guy. That’s the pitfall you walk.”

The concern Bryan raises is genuine. Dallas seeks stability after such rough years on defense. That can only happen if things are planned with a long-term perspective. For now, this hire comes off as more of a temporary fix.