The Dallas Cowboys made several changes to their coaching staff on Thursday. Head coach Mike McCarthy was able to retain defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, but surprisingly refused to commit to one key member of the staff.
McCarthy wouldn’t commit to retaining Kellen Moore as the team’s offensive coordinator. This despite “several” opportunities to do so, according to veteran ESPN reporter Ed Werder.
“Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy declined several opportunities in his season-ending news conference to commit to OC Kellen Moore returning if he’s not hired elsewhere. The two spoke briefly today,” tweeted Werder. “McCarthy: ‘Kellen Moore, just like the rest of the coaches, will be evaluated.'”
#Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy declined several opportunities in his season-ending news conference to commit to OC Kellen Moore returning if he’s not hired elsewhere. The two spoke briefly today.
McCarthy: “Kellen Moore, just like the rest of the coaches, will be evaluated.”
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 26, 2023
Moore joined the Cowboys in 2018 as quarterbacks coach. After the team hired McCarthy, the head coach kept him around on staff as offensive coordinator.
Evidently, however, after an up-and-down season, McCarthy will not commit to keeping Moore in Dallas.
This is an interesting decision but not one that comes too surprisingly. If the Cowboys, after a year in which they competed near the top of the NFC East, are willing to let go of several coaches, one more wouldn’t seem untouchable. Moore’s time in Dallas has been good, maybe not great at times, although it’s always a coach-personnel deal.
Nevertheless, the NFL world noticed the curious decision and made note of it.
So the Cowboys go 12-5 in 2021 and 2022, but six assistant coaches are gone and Kellen Moore may be next — and there's zero chance Jerry Jones would try to upgrade from Mike McCarthy to Sean Payton?
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 26, 2023
If Kellen Moore does not receive a head coaching job elsewhere, will he 100% be back as Cowboys offensive coordinator?
Mike McCarthy: "Kellen Moore will be evaluated. Every coach will be evaluated."
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) January 26, 2023
My sense is #Cowboys OC Kellen Moore is in trouble. Mike McCarthy dodged it twice saying he will be “evaluated” like the rest of the coaches. @NBCDFWSports pic.twitter.com/JMsK4hpZVT
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) January 26, 2023
The #Cowboys scored 12 points in the Division Round. Is that depth issues after trading Amari Cooper & the injury to Tony Pollard, or a play-calling problem #Cowboys fans? https://t.co/DlI3hc8kxB
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 26, 2023
Great non-endorsement. https://t.co/5fPKAB9ITR
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 26, 2023
Who’s gonna evaluate Mike McCarthy though? https://t.co/hIxHoOjxj1
— Ben Stanfield (@Ben_Stanfield) January 26, 2023
More concerned with perception and self preservation than identifying and fixing real problems… my god, they really are America’s team https://t.co/3sTyY93pnW
— Ben Gretch (@YardsPerGretch) January 26, 2023
