As the (Jerry) World Turns the Cowboys are now a soap opera of Dallas proportions
So yet another day has passed with no decision from the Dallas Cowboys regarding the fate of head coach Jason Garrett. These are the days of our lives.
Owner Jerry Jones and vice president Stephen Jones were expected to meet for a third time with Garrett on Thursday, though there has been no confirmation of the meeting. They also met on Monday and Tuesday.
What is being discussed has been kept close to the vest, with sources saying that the Joneses are handling the situation with no help or input from other front office staffers with the slow and deliberate process out of respect for Garrett. Multiple people inside Cowboys headquarters say they have no clue and no information.
With the holidays now over, there had been speculation that an announcement would be made Thursday.
Garrett, meanwhile, spent part of Thursday still doing exit interviews with players following the end of another disappointing season.
The situation has gone from the bizarre to the seemingly absurd, considering everything involved. Jones should have shown this much respect and deference to the legendary Tom Landry when he unceremoniously fired him in 1989.
But that was another time.
It remains unlikely the Cowboys will bring back Garrett as head coach. He is in the final year of his contract, which officially expires Jan 14.
Garrett’s 8-8 mark in 2019, his fourth such record in nine full seasons as head coach, doesn’t warrant a new deal, especially since he entered the season with the explicit mandate of having to at least reach the NFC title game in order to save his job. That feeling was made more frustrating by the fact that, on paper, the 2019 Cowboys were the franchise’s most-talented team since the 1990s.
Now, there is speculation of whether the two sides are discussing retaining Garrett in another capacity, possibly in the front office.
That is also a nonstarter.
Garrett specifically said following the season-ending 47-16 victory against the Washington Redskins last Sunday that he wants to continue coaching. He would like it to be with the Cowboys, but he wants to continue coaching period.
Also, there is no legitimate place of substance for him in the front office. The aforementioned Jerry Jones is the general manager. Stephen Jones is vice president of player personnel. And Will McClay runs the scouting department.
Additionally, what prospective new coach would comfortable with his predecessor walking the halls with a direct voice to ownership.
The delay continues but the only logical outcome and resolution remains the same. The Cowboys will move on from Garrett and begin the search for a new coach.
When is anybody’s guess. All we do know is that the soap opera will continue ...
This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 6:53 PM.
