Cowboys Insider Names Free Agent Most Likely to Follow Defensive Coordinator

Reed Blankenship of the Eagles could reunite with Christian Parker in Dallas

Feb. 19, 2026 at 4:55am

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According to Cowboys insider Bobby Belt, safety Reed Blankenship of the Philadelphia Eagles is the free agent most likely to follow new Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who previously coached Blankenship in Philadelphia. Belt believes Blankenship's aggressive, physical playing style and familiarity with Parker's scheme make him an ideal fit to help improve the Cowboys' struggling defense.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, so new coordinator Christian Parker has a major challenge ahead of him. Bringing in a player like Blankenship, who thrived under Parker's coaching, could help solidify the secondary and improve communication, two key issues that plagued the Cowboys' defense in 2025.

The details

Parker takes over the Cowboys' defense after it ranked near the bottom of the league in several key metrics last season. Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan believes Blankenship, an impending free agent from the Eagles, is the best fit for Parker to potentially poach from his former team. Belt describes Blankenship as an aggressive, physical 'try-hard' safety who maxes out his physical abilities, though he has some limitations in coverage. Blankenship previously played under Parker in Philadelphia and fully bought into his defensive scheme, making him an ideal fit to help improve communication in the Cowboys' secondary.

  • Christian Parker was recently hired as the new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys.

The players

Christian Parker

The new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, tasked with fixing one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Reed Blankenship

A safety for the Philadelphia Eagles who is set to become a free agent, and is seen as the top target for Christian Parker to potentially bring with him to the Cowboys.

Bobby Belt

A Cowboys insider who hosts a show on 105.3 The Fan and believes Blankenship is the free agent most likely to follow Parker to Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“I think there's a chance this is the strongest connection of any of these free agents that we're talking to, that this might be the guy with the best bet to end up here, and that's Reed Blankenship, who, if you've watched the Eagles play the last couple of years, you're familiar with him. He hits like a ton of bricks. He is aggressive. He is physical. He is a little bit of, it's such a bad term, but he's a little bit of a try-hard guy.”

— Bobby Belt, Cowboys Insider (105.3 The Fan)

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to make a decision on whether to pursue Blankenship in free agency, as he could be an ideal fit to help improve their defense under new coordinator Christian Parker.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' defense was a major weakness in 2025, so new coordinator Christian Parker will need to add talent that fits his scheme. Bringing in a player like Reed Blankenship, who thrived under Parker's coaching in Philadelphia, could help solidify the secondary and improve communication, two key issues that plagued the Cowboys' defense last season.