The Dallas Cowboys have received an unusual offer of help as their defense continues to struggle through the opening weeks of the 2026 NFL season.
Veteran defensive coach Wink Martindale suggested owner Jerry Jones could call him after Dallas’ 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Martindale discussed the Cowboys’ defensive situation on Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard. He did not hold back when discussing coordinator Christian Parker.
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“I don’t want to be an a****le, but he’s being outclassed right now,” Martindale said. “So Jerry [Jones] can call me and I’ll go help him. But I’m talking about helping the coordinator.
“It’s like the end of the game calls. They were playing essentially one-rat with outside leverage against him, and they run, double in cuts, which is hard to defend when you’re playing outside leverage and gave up that chunk pass, and Lamar [Jackson] was smart enough to call the timeout, and they got the field goal unit out there.”
Dallas enters Week 4 with a 1-2 record after allowing 34 points to Baltimore in Brazil. The Cowboys also surrendered 28 points during their season-opening loss to the New York Giants.
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The defensive problems extend beyond one game. Dallas has allowed at least 165 rushing yards in each of its first three contests.
Cowboys face structural problems on defense
NFL – Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys
Football – NFL – Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys – Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 2026 Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott in action with Baltimore Ravens’ Trey Hendrickson REUTERS/Brian Snyder Credit: REUTERS (Reuters)
The Cowboys have also struggled to generate pressure. They entered the week with only two sacks, while their secondary had not recorded an interception.
Martindale’s comments highlight the experience gap surrounding Dallas’ defensive staff. Parker is in his first season as defensive coordinator after previously serving as Denver‘s defensive backs coach. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer is also experiencing his first season leading an NFL team. That combination leaves Dallas without an experienced former head coach on its current staff.
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The lack of defensive consistency has become more concerning because Dallas invested heavily in its roster during the offseason. Injuries have also complicated Parker’s task. Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke and Jonathan Bullard are among defensive players who have missed time.
Still, the Ravens exposed issues that went beyond personnel. Baltimore repeatedly created rushing lanes and moved the ball enough to set up Tyler Loop‘s winning 56-yard field goal. Dallas had opportunities to win after overcoming a 24-13 deficit. However, the defense could not prevent Lamar Jackson from finding Zay Flowers for a crucial 27-yard completion.
That play put Baltimore in position for the winning kick with one second remaining.
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So, Martindale’s offer reflects the pressure surrounding Dallas’ defensive structure. The Cowboys need better communication, tackling and situational execution. The team now faces three road games in its next four contests. Dallas travels to Houston next Sunday with little margin for continued defensive mistakes.
Whether Martindale’s offer leads anywhere remains unknown. The Cowboys, however, need answers immediately.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
