Coach Mike Zimmer’s ‘3 Other Most Important Cowboys’: Beyond Micah Parsons

New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has his work cut out for him when it comes to several Dallas Cowboys defensive projects.

Meet the new boss ... same as the old boss.

The Dallas Cowboys have brought back a familiar face to the fold in the wake of Dan Quinn's return to head coaching, as Mike Zimmer has returned to take up the defensive coordinator post left open. 

Zimmer was introduced earlier this week alongside head coach Mike McCarthy, officially cementing his return to Dallas after previously spending 13 years (1994-2006) with the team in a variety of defensive roles, the last seven in the coordinator spot he just took back.

One could argue that Zimmer's job has partly been done for him thanks to the presence of Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, and more, but their most recent postseason effort against the Green Bay Packers confirmed that talent alone doesn't pave the path to a Super Bowl. 

Mike Zimmer Won't 'Reinvent The Wheel' - But Penalties and 'Discipline'?

With the offense well-accounted for and able to score, what Zimmer does could provide the Cowboys their best chance at an elusive championship ... lest he go down as a retread that only carries on the cycle of mediocrity that has plagued Dallas since the turn of the century.

Certain players have a greater impact on Zimmer's career than others and what they do under his watch could determine the pace of their own NFL careers ...

So let’s go beyond the obvious. Micah and Diggs are the easy calls as pivot points. But …

USA Today

DaRon Bland

The defensive football world is abuzz over what Bland can do as a follow-up to his historic season that saw him visit the end zone five times. Dallas has routinely fielded supposed "ballhawks" but struggles in coverage have prevented them from perhaps greater things. Bland's coverage has been decent enough in two seasons since coming over as a day-three pick in 2022 and the latter days of Zimmer's first era are well known for grooming the physical secondary stopper Roy Williams. 

No one in Dallas would mind if history repeats itself.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Mazi Smith

Smith was perhaps always destined to be a project first-rounder after arriving as the most recent 26th overall pick, but his recent work ... or lack thereof ... leaves an alarming impression. 

The Michigan alum had some extended opportunities with injuries in the Dallas interior but he was afforded only four snaps in the playoff cameo against Green Bay. If/when Jonathan Hankins leaves in free agency, the investment in Smith alone will likely make him the next man up. 

How Zimmer can foster his talents - and help him figure out his best weight, as the 340-pounder reportedly moved nearer 300 as the season wore on - could ultimately set the course for his NFL fate, whether it's as a vital contributor or as Taco Charlton 2.0.

Sam Williams

Williams has developed a slight niche on special teams but that's probably not the role the Cowboys had in mind for him when they took him in the second. 

The emergence of blockers like Luke Goedeke, Ed Ingram, and Luke Fortner (as well as Buffalo rusher James Cook) in the immediate aftermath of his selection certainly doesn't help but Zimmer's post-Dallas career hints that he might be able to save Williams, who is best-known in Dallas for his knucklehead stuff.

In another Cowboys life, Zimmer mostly helped developed talents (La'Roi Glover, DeMarcus Ware) match their true potential, so imagine what he'll be able to do with Parsons. 

But during his time with the Bengals, he also helped press forward a sterling pass rush led by Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, and Michael Johnson. If the Cowboys continue to insist on giving Williams chances on defense, Zimmer could be the perfect name to help reclaim the narrative on his career.