How well did Mike Zimmer’s first game back as Cowboys defensive coordinator go? Let one of his former standouts tell you.

Zimmer’s defensive play calling in Dallas’ Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns impressed many, including Cowboys icon DeMarcus Ware. Ware particularly liked how Zimmer used do-it-all weapon Micah Parsons at different spots.

“Micah needed someone to come in to move him around a little bit. To help him be a lot more disruptive,” Ware told The Dallas Morning News on Thursday. “I got to see him play on the defensive line, a little bit of [a] linebacker position. That’s where Micah needs to be. The offenses do not need to be able to point Micah out and say, ‘He’s always on the left side.’”

Ware used the phrase “catalyst” to describe Parsons, noting how his influence led to key plays from DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs and others.

Drafted by the Cowboys in 2005, Ware started his professional career on Zimmer-led defenses. Zimmer was the team’s defensive coordinator during the two-year span (2005-06) where Dallas shifted from a 4-3 scheme to the 3-4. Ware thrived in the new system as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer said an aggressive approach was among the changes he noticed in Dallas’ shift from Dan Quinn’s scheme to Zimmer’s.

“They blitzed a lot. I know that, from a cornerback’s standpoint, a linebacker’s standpoint, a lot more movement of the defensive line and bringing guys off the edge,” Ware said. “I know that playing with Zimmer, how his defense is — it was a lot more aggressive.

“It wasn’t about, ‘OK, you sit here, you play the B-gap and hopefully things work. No, I need these athletic guys moving around to create havoc in the backfield.’”

Ware added that he expects the Cowboys’ Week 1 blueprint to carry over through the rest of the 2024 season. He wants to see consistency in the team, especially when road games bring tougher opponents later in the year.

Before the Cowboys opened the season, they signed two of their biggest stars in Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to major extensions. Like many Cowboys fans, Ware said he was happy to see those deals get signed. He also noted how Parsons is next in line for a big-money contract.

“With Micah, you can’t get rid of Micah,” Ware said. “You just can’t draft a defensive guy that’s going to come in and be as impactful as he’s been. So, he’s next. I think those are the three guys — when you get your defensive guy, a wide receiver and you’ve got your quarterback — guys that can get out there, just be the great leaders on the team and drive them where they need to.”

Going into Week 2 of the NFL season, Ware will be at AT&T Stadium ahead of the Cowboys’ meeting with the New Orleans Saints. He’s partnering with Crown Royal for a tailgating experience that will promote the brand’s Purple Bag Project.

The project is designed to send care packages to deployed military members. Those attending will also get a chance to see the Crown Royal Rig, an 18-wheeler that is touring multiple NFL stadiums this season.

Ware is maintaining high hopes for the Cowboys as they enter another year. Although Dallas will take on NFC heavyweights like the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles, Ware could see the Cowboys making it to Super Bowl LIX in February.

Their opponent? The three-peat-seeking Kansas City Chiefs.

“We need to stop this 28-year drought. Are you kidding me?” Ware said. “It hurts a little bit. Especially me having nine years of that.”

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