Cowboys' Stephen Jones reveals plan if Kellen Moore leaves for head coaching job: We have a 'safety net'

They'd like to retain their OC, but they have a plan if he exits

Kellen Moore has a decision to make, and soon, assuming he's presented with one. The offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys has again found himself garnering interest from other NFL teams in need of a head coach, and even more so than one offseason ago when his only formal interview was with the Philadelphia Eagles. But as those vacancies rapidly evaporate around the league, it's becoming more and more likely Moore remains with the Cowboys -- something owner Jerry Jones believes/hopes will occur.

Moore, however, landed a second interview with the Miami Dolphins, and is considered a finalist to replace the unexpectedly fired Brian Flores. That said, with Flores' lawsuit alleging offers of financial incentives from owner Stephen Ross to tank in 2019, it's possible that vacancy is no longer as attractive to Moore; but equally possible he's willing to look past it to land his first-ever head coaching gig.

Asked about Moore's status this week, Cowboys executive Stephen Jones mirrored the sentiment that the team wants Moore to stay put in North Texas before noting there's a plan in place if he departs -- one that involves head coach Mike McCarthy getting more hands-on in 2022.

"I think the world of Kellen and that's why we want him back," Jones said from the Reese's Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, via the team's official website. "I'm not rooting against him to further his career. Hopefully it works out selfishly that we can keep him. 

"The great news is, Mike is an offensive football coach. He's called plays for Super Bowl teams and Championship teams. It gives you a little more safety net vs. where we were on the defensive side of the ball."

The latter part of his statement was a reference to the possible loss of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in this offseason's coaching cycle, but Quinn has opted to remain in Dallas for what Jerry Jones describes as "many years to come". And with McCarthy having received assurances as early as Jan. 17, as originally reported by CBS Sports, that he would stay on as head coach, it leaves Moore as the only piece of the triumvirate still unsettled. 

The 33-year-old ascended quickly to the ranks of the coveted once he retired as an NFL quarterback and was quickly promoted from Cowboys quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in the span of only two years. Recently, he signed a multi-year extension in 2020 to remain with the Cowboys and away from the HC position at his beloved Boise State, but the luster presumably wore off a bit due to the offensive struggles in Dallas that ultimately led to an embarrassing showing and loss on NFL Super Wild Card Weekend against the San Francisco 49ers.

There is still interest in Miami, though, despite Moore's recent downturn, and the Joneses can only wait to see what happens next -- barring the obvious chance they dig deeper into their bank account to ensure he stays (as they did previously). But if he leaves, it'll be McCarthy's offense to scheme going forward, in a pivotal 2022 season that will see the shadow of Sean Payton hovering about and quietly applying pressure in the background.