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Dallas Cowboys: Could Todd Haley replace Scott Linehan?

By Steven Mullenax

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 23: Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Heinz Field on December 23, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 23: Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team warm up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game at Heinz Field on December 23, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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Sources say the Dallas Cowboys are expected to take a hard look at their coordinators and could bring a previous coach back into the fold.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ offensive woes have been well documented this season. For the first three games without their star running back, Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys failed to score in double digits. Prior to Zeke’s ban, Dallas’ coaches were criticized for a lack of quality halftime adjustments.

And even with Elliott back on offense last week, the Cowboys were heavily criticized both by fans and in the media when they refused to give the ball to him near the goal line in a critical loss to the Seattle Seahawks, crushing all hopes of a postseason appearance.

As one would expect after a disappointing season, public outcry for the Cowboys to make coaching changes has been at an all-time high as Dallas enters a meaningless Week 17 matchup with the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles.

But a vote of confidence made by owner and general manager Jerry Jones has appeared to keep head coach Jason Garrett off the hot seat, at least for one more season. But the same can not be said for his coordinators. According to one NFL insider, both Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli could be fired this offseason.

"“Both of those spots [offensive and defensive coordinator] will be thoroughly evaluated, sources say,” reported Ian Rapoport via NFL.com on Saturday night. “If Linehan goes, one possible candidate could be former Cowboys receivers coach Todd Haley, whose contract with the Steelers is set to expire, per a source. Receivers coach Derek Dooley might want to return to college while passing game coordinator on defense Matt Eberflus is a free agent and could supplant Marinelli if Dallas chooses to make a change.”"

The Cowboys could end the season with a Top Ten defense, so I’m not sure why Dallas would opt to part ways with Marinelli. But Linehan is a different story as the offense struggled to find it’s way for much of the season.

And the mention of Todd Haley would be an interesting replacement for Linehan in Dallas. Haley, who is currently the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the Cowboys wide receiver coach from 2004-2006. The 50-year old was the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-2011, posting a record of 19-26 during his tenure.

Next: The five worst losses of the 2017 season

Haley has been running the Steelers’ offense for the past six seasons. Pittsburgh currently possess the third best offense in the NFL, second in passing offense and 20th in the run. With Haley as offensive coordinator, the Steelers have made the playoffs the past four years straight.

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