While the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff loss wasn’t quite as bad as last year’s QB sneak by Dak Prescott as time expired, big changes were still expected this offseason for Jerry Jones’ team. While some thought that could mean head coach Mike McCarthy could be headed out the door, especially with Jones’ pal, Sean Payton, lurking in the shadows, the Cowboys found a different scapegoat instead.
Shortly following the team’s 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, who boasted the NFL’s best defense this past season, the Cowboys made the shocking decision to part ways with offensive coordinator and play caller Kellen Moore.
It was a massive surprise, considering Moore’s ties to the Cowboys run deep, going back to when he was a backup quarterback from 2015-17, then quickly landing on the coaching staff in 2018. Moore then became offensive coordinator in 2019. The Cowboys had the NFL’s sixth-highest-scoring offense in Moore’s first season on the job, and he improved that mark to the No. 1 ranked unit in 2021.
Moore’s success with the Cowboys led to several head coaching interviews, both during last year’s hiring cycle and this year’s. Yet, Moore wasn’t able to capitalize on his recent momentum and had appeared set to reprise his role as the Cowboys’ offensive play-caller again in 2023 until the team parted ways.
It took all of one day for Moore to land back on his feet with the Los Angeles Chargers in the same role he enjoyed in Dallas. Moore quickly landing another top coordinating position in the NFL was widely expected, which is why the initial firing/parting of ways came as such a curious decision.
It turns out that not even the Cowboys’ QB was pleased with the decision to move on from Moore.
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Dak Prescott not on board with decision to fire Kellen Moore
After leading the NFL with the most interceptions thrown during the regular season with 15, Dak Prescott proceeded to throw two more picks in the Cowboys’ two playoff games. His turnover issues certainly played a major factor in Dallas’ struggles this past season, and being that he nearly doubled his career interception rate (from 2% to 3.8%) in the matter of just one season, the issues appeared to be an anomaly.
Yet, the Cowboys seemed to place Prescott’s problems on the shoulders of Moore, opting to ignore their QB’s recent string of turnovers. At least, that’s what the message to move on from Moore and let McCarthy call plays next season seems to indicate.
When asked about the change from Moore to having McCarthy now in his ear next season, Prescott let it be known that he wasn’t happy with the decision, the latest indication that the Cowboys didn’t include their franchise QB on their decision-making process.
“I’m upset, but I’m happy for him.”
Dak Prescott on Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator decision
While McCarthy will be taking over playcalling duties for the 2023 season, the Cowboys have since hired Brian Schottenheimer to be the team’s offensive coordinator.
Moore and Prescott formed a strong bond ever since the latter was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Maybe the Cowboys felt like Moore was too much of a friend and not enough of a coach to his former teammate. Who knows.
Whatever the reason, the Cowboys felt like a change was necessary. Whether moving from Moore to McCarthy and Schottenheimer was the right call remains to be seen.
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