The Dallas Cowboys have successfully transformed the defensive side of the ball. Once one of the worst units in the league, the defense is seen as a strength for the Cowboys.

Micah Parsons has a lot to do with that. The all-world linebacker has quickly established himself as one of the premier players in football. His abilities to get after the quarterback and impact the game are second-to-none.

Hiring Dan Quinn has, arguably, played the biggest role in the fast turnaround. Quinn is well-known as one of the top defensive minds in the league. His work with the talent on the Cowboys has been a ton of fun to watch.

In addition to Parsons, Quinn has players such as Trevon Diggs, Jayron Kearse, and DeMarcus Lawrence at his disposal. There is a lot of talent for the Dallas Cowboys on the defensive side, and the unit was a turnover-creating machine in 2021.

McCarthy sees big potential in Cowboys

Mike McCarthy has been around strong defensive play during his coaching career. The Green Bay Packers were led by Aaron Rodgers, but the Packers also featured some very good defenses during McCarthy's tenure.

McCarthy's 2010 defense was full of speed and athletic players. It is probably not a coincidence that the Packers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at the end of that season. The Cowboys' head coach sees some similarities with this year's Dallas defense.

Mike McCarthy when asked the last time he had a defense this fast: (The 2010 Packers Super Bowl-winning defense) was “the highest-rated defense that I’ve ever had as a head coach. And I think this one definitely has the look and has the ability to be that caliber of a defense.”

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 7, 2022

"I think this one definitely has the look and has the ability to be that caliber of a defense," McCarthy said this week about the Cowboys' 2022 defense while referencing the Packers' 2010 squad.

That is high praise from McCarthy. Clay Matthews, AJ Hawk, BJ Raji, and a veteran Charles Woodson were among the players on that Green Bay Super Bowl-winning defensive unit.

Furthermore, Micah Parsons has big expectations for the Cowboys' defense during the upcoming season. In fact, the All-Pro linebacker believes that the group could break some records in 2022:

Micah Parsons on the Cowboys defense: “I think we have a chance to break some more records and set a standard for how defense should be played.”

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 7, 2022

While the offense might take a step back without key players at key positions, the defense may actually take another step forward. That has to be scary for opposing offenses to think about as the likes of Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs should only get better.

Expectations are certainly high for Dan Quinn and the Dallas Cowboys' defense in 2022 as the team looks to make noise this season. Tom Brady provides the unit a big challenge right out of the gate.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports