Let’s change it up and talk about something other than players added to the roster for the upcoming season. The addition of Marcus Dixon as the Cowboys defensive line coach may help the position group lined up behind his big boys more than we realize.
I don’t want to paint this as some magic-bean type of move. We’ve been down that road before.
But how many times have we seen a running back pop through the defensive line and blame the linebackers for not making the tackle? Is the blame sometimes warranted, yes.
We know the linebacker core has been terrible. It has literally been the land of misfit toys for a few years.
I know one move on the staff will not solve years of problems, but it could solve this year’s problem.
Marcus Dixon Can Help the Linebackers Without Coaching Them
Dallas hired Marcus Dixon to coach the defensive line under Christian Parker, and the connection between these two in the past brings a familiarity and similar coaching ideology.
Parker worked with Dixon in Denver. He knows how he coaches and teaches. I think the most important part is that Parker knows what kind of room Dixon will run and what he expects from his players.
That should almost assuredly build the defense with one plan instead of three separate groups trying to do their own thing, which seems like what we’ve seen in the past.
The defensive line has to be connected to the linebackers and the linebackers have to trust what is happening in front of them. If the front is getting pushed around, nothing works.
That’s why I care about a defensive line coach in July.
The overall reason this coaching hire really sticks with me is pretty simple: better defensive line play gives the linebackers a cleaner game.
The Cowboys Linebackers Need Fewer Messes to Clean Up
As soon as the season ended and we got Christian Parker in here, we all thought a big-time linebacker was the next move. It went from Nakobe Dean, to Fred Warner, to Jordyn Brooks, and whoever else was out there.
The linebackers the Cowboys brought in will be just fine. They just need the defensive tackles to hold their ground and ends need to set the edge instead of opening cutback lanes.
Fans should not be sitting on the edge of their seat watching as a guard gets to the second level and truck sticks one of our linebackers. That just shouldn’t be happening every other play.
Marcus Dixon’s job is to make those type of snaps less ugly. It won’t take much, and I have faith. If his group holds up better, the linebackers will be able to read the play and make a hit, instead of catching contact four yards downfield.
Marcus Dixon Has Been In Charge of the Type of Play Dallas Needs
I don’t want to turn this into a coaching bio, but the number matter, the history matters in this instance.
In Minnesota from 2024-2025, Marcus Dixon’s group was part of a defense that gave up on average 19.5 points per game, which would have been 7th in the NFL in 2025, and gave up an average of 109 rushing yards per game, which would have been 12th in 2025.
In 2024, the Vikings allowed only five runs of 20 yards or more. Talk about helping your linebackers.
Fewer big runs means fewer big plays the linebackers have to make.
Before Minnesota, Dixon was with Christian Parker in Denver and before that he was with the LA Rams. All great defenses with good defensive line play.
I can’t give Marcus Dixon credit for everything, but he was either in charge of or second in charge of the defensive lines at those stops. The defensive lines were able to get it done at all places.
Marcus Dixon Might Have the Most to Work With Since LA
In Dallas, Marcus Dixon will get Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Otito Ogbonnia, and Jay Toia.
That last one is still a work in progress, but one former All-Pro, a multi-time Pro Bowler, and a young guy who has proven he can play in the NFL. I, for one, can’t wait to see what Dixon can do with these guys.
I don’t think Marcus Dixon will go down as the biggest hire of the offseason, but depending on what he can do with the defensive line, it can elevate the linebackers too.
If those two levels of the defense can become what I think they can become, this defense will do a 180 from last season.
And it could all start in the trenches.
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