FRISCO, Texas — Sources told ESPN on Sunday, confirming multiple reports that Karen Moore will no longer be the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, ending a four-year streak of offenses finishing in the top 10 three times.
After accepting the Dallas head coaching job in 2020, Mike McCarthy thought it was important to keep Moore in Dak Prescott’s favor because Moore had just finished his first season as the team’s offensive coordinator, and the Cowboys were in Ranked first in yards per game this season; Prescott also threw for 4,902 yards in 2019.
Sources told ESPN that McCarthy could potentially take over game command duties, but no decision has been made.
With Prescott returning from a dislocated and fractured right ankle in 2020, the Cowboys rank first in yards and points per game in 2021. In 2022, the Cowboys rank fourth in points per game and 11th in yards per game despite Prescott losing five games with a broken thumb.
The last Cowboys coach was Jason Garrett in 2012. After that season, owner and general manager Jerry Jones wanted Garrett to drop those responsibilities and focus on the franchise as a whole. Bill Callahan called up the script in 2013, followed by Scott Linehan from 2014 to 2018, before Moore took over.
Last week, Moore, who had one year left on his contract, interviewed for the Carolina Panthers head coaching vacancy, which ultimately went to Frank Reich. The Los Angeles Chargers recently requested permission to speak with Moore about their offensive coordinator vacancy, a source said.
Moore was shortlisted for the Miami Dolphins job with Mike McDaniel last year. In 2020, Moore dropped out of the campaign at his alma mater, Boise State University.
Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nusmail, who is out of contract, will also not return, according to sources.
McCarthy served as head coach of the Packers for most of his 13 years in Green Bay. He temporarily relinquished those responsibilities in 2015 but returned to directing games and has vowed to do so for the remainder of his tenure as Packers coach, making his decision to keep Moore on in 2020 as a game-calling surprise. surprise.
In Green Bay, where McCarthy coached Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, interceptions were rarely an issue. After intercepting 29 passes in 2005, Favre reduced that to 18 in 2006-07 and 15 in 2007-08. Rodgers became a starter in 2008 and has never had more than 13 in a season, only twice in double digits (2008 and 2010).
Prescott is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2022 with 15 despite missing five games. However, just a season earlier, he had set a franchise record with 37 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
Brian Schottenheimer, a Dallas advisor in 2022, is a likely coordinator candidate.
After the Cowboys’ divisional loss to the San Francisco 49ers, McCarthy notified six coaches that they would not be returning: assistant head coach Rob Davis, senior defensive assistant George Edwards, running backs coach Skip Pitt, Offensive line coach Joe Philbin, quality control coach Kyle Valero and assistant defensive line coach Leon Wright.
The Cowboys were able to keep defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who removed his name from head coaching consideration elsewhere.